Systems and methods for low energy beacon management

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are disclosed relating to proximity detection of devices and targeted information services, such as information campaigns. Disclosed methods provide targeted campaigns to a user, such as targeted campaigns to presentation devices based on proximity of user devices near the information devices. Other methods provide targeted campaigns across various applications, while other methods provide for scheduling campaigns to premises device identifiers based on an event schedule, and other methods provide a hierarchal system for monitoring different sets of premises device identifiers when a user device can monitor for a limited number of premises device identifiers at a time.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/047,238 filed Feb. 18, 2016, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Information providers, such as network operators, content providers, oradvertisers, try to increase demand for products by influencing thebehavior of a target demographic through use of adverting strategiesadvertisers, for example, may try to optimize advertising focus bytargeting a specific demographic that represents a high opportunity toinfluence consumer behavior by, e.g., by raising consumer awareness.What is lacking, however, are technologies related to intelligentanalyses of location and presence of users relative to informationproviding devices at venues or other public or private locations Theseand other shortcomings of the prior art are identified and addressed bythe present disclosure.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that both the following general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive, as claimed. Provided are methods and systemsfor low energy beacon management and providing targeted campaigns, suchas an advertisement campaign. An advertisement campaign can be deliveredthrough numerous mechanisms such as television, digital signage atvenues, through applications on mobile devices, and the like.

In one aspect, disclosed are methods and systems that enable targetedcampaigns directed to a user by inserting a targeted into contentpresented to the user. Also disclosed are methods and systems thatprovide targeted campaigns to presentation devices based on proximity ofuser devices to the presentation devices. Further disclosed are methodsand systems that provide targeted campaigns to a user device based onproximity of the user device to a premises device. Also disclosed aremethods and systems that provide targeted campaigns across variousapplications. Disclosed are methods and systems that provide forscheduling a plurality of campaigns at a location using the samepremises devices based on an event schedule of when the campaigns are totake place. Further disclosed are methods and systems that provide ahierarchal system of geofences where each geofence is defined by alocation and a premises device identifier of a first set of premisesdevice identifiers for which a user device monitors. If the user devicedetects a premises device identifier of the first set of premises deviceidentifiers, the targeted communication service can determine whichgeofence the user device is located in and activate a second set ofpremises device identifiers for which the user device can monitor withinthe geofence.

Additional advantages will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows or may be learned by practice. The advantages will be realizedand attained by means of the elements and combinations particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the methods and systems:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example system;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example system;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example system;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example system at an example location;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example system;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example system;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example system;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example system;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example system;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example system;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an example system;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example method;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another example method;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another example method;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating another example method;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating another example method;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating another example method;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating another example method;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating another example method;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating another example method;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating another example method;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating another example method;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating another example method;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating another example method;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating another example method;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating another example method; and

FIG. 28 is a block diagram of an example computer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present methods and systems are disclosed and described, itis to be understood that the methods and systems are not limited tospecific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended tobe limiting.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” oneparticular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When sucha range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the oneparticular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, whenvalues are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms anotherembodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each ofthe ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, andindependently of the other endpoint.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includesinstances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where itdoes not.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word“comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and“comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intendedto exclude, for example, other components, integers, or steps.“Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey anindication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used ina restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word“stationary” and variations of the word, can mean staying in aparticular position for a prolonged period of time. A “stationary”device can be associated with the particular location.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words“migrant” and “mobile” and variations of the words, can mean not“stationary.” However it is specifically contemplated that “migrant” and“mobile” can include aspects that may be temporarily stationary. A“migrant” device and/or a “mobile” device can be a device that is notassociated with a particular location.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word“peripheral” and variations of the word, can be used to describe adevice that transmits information (data). For example, a “peripheral”can transmit advertisements, location information, network information,identifiers, and the like. A “peripheral” can have data that is neededby other devices.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word“central” and variations of the word, can be used to describe a devicethat receives information (data) transmitted from a peripheral. In anaspect, a “central” can attempt to connect to a peripheral to furthercommunicate with the peripheral in response to receiving informationtransmitted from the peripheral. The central can use the data from theperipheral to accomplish a task. In an aspect, the central can passivelyinteract with a peripheral by detecting a transmission of information.Based on recognizing the information, such as an identifier, the centralcan perform some task. A device can serve as a central, a peripheral, orboth, depending on a role needed for a particular implementation.

As used herein, “macro-location” and variations thereof, can be used todescribe a range in which a person or thing is located. For example, aWi-Fi access point may be used to determine a device's macro-location;if the device is connected to the Wi-Fi access point, then the devicecan be said to be in the Wi-Fi access point's range or “macro-location.”

As used herein, “micro-location” and variations thereof, can be used todescribe a range in which a person or thing is located, and isrelatively more precise than a “macro-location.” For example, a firstlow energy device (such as a first Bluetooth low energy (BLE) enableddevice) can determine a second low energy device's micro-location (suchas a second BLE-enabled device); if the first BLE-enabled device is ableto communicate to the second BLE-enabled device through a BLE protocol,then the first BLE-enabled device can be said to be in the secondBLE-enabled device's range or “micro-location.”

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that can be performed, it is understood that each ofthese additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment orcombination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.

The present methods and systems may be understood more readily byreference to the following detailed description of preferred embodimentsand the examples included therein and to the Figures and their previousand following description.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the methods andsystems may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software andhardware aspects. Furthermore, the methods and systems may take the formof a computer program product on a computer-readable storage mediumhaving computer-readable program instructions (e.g., computer software)embodied in the storage medium. More particularly, the present methodsand systems may take the form of web-implemented computer software. Anysuitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized including harddisks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

Embodiments of the methods and systems are described below withreference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods,systems, apparatuses and computer program products. It will beunderstood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may be loadedonto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions which execute on the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus create a means for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readableinstructions for implementing the function specified in the flowchartblock or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loadedonto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process suchthat the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrationssupport combinations of means for performing the specified functions,combinations of steps for performing the specified functions, andprogram instruction means for performing the specified functions. Itwill also be understood that each block of the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by specialpurpose hardware-based computer systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

Users of user devices (such as a laptop, a mobile phone, a tablet, awearable device, and the like) often carry the user devices to variouslocations and the user devices are often used by a single user.Therefore, a unique user can be associated with an identifier of a userdevice. Detection of the identifier of the user device can be used toidentify the user device and thus the associated user of the userdevice. Targeted campaigns, based on demographics of the user, can thenbe provided to the user either at the user device or some other outputdevice. A campaign can be content (e.g. video, audio, and the like),actions on interactive applications, ticketing for events, point of saleintegration and ordering, loyalty/shopping rewards programs,advertisement content, combinations thereof, and the like.

In an aspect, the present methods and systems disclose a targetedcampaign service, for example, a targeted advertisement campaignservice. The targeted campaign service can comprise a network (e.g.,cloud) based platform that comprises a plurality of computing devicesand services that can determine a presence of a user, identify the user,and provide campaigns to the user based on the demographics of the userat various media devices and/or the user device that receive servicefrom the targeted campaign service. Media devices can take many forms,example media devices can be a set-top box, a digital streaming device,a gaming device, a media storage device, a digital recording device, adigital sign, a speaker, various presentation devices, combinationthereof, and/or the like. In an aspect, the media device can be the userdevice. In an aspect, the targeted campaign service can comprise aproximity platform. The proximity platform can be used to determinewhether a user device is proximate to a specific location and alsoidentify nearby media devices (available both in real-time andasynchronously).

In an aspect, the methods and systems disclosed can be configured todetermine whether a user device is proximate to a specific location andthereby identify the user of the user device based on the identifier ofthe user device. To determine whether the user device is proximate tothe specific location, the proximity platform can receive an indicationof a detection between a user device and a premises device. A premisesdevice can be known by the targeted campaign service to exist at thespecific location and can be associated with one or more campaigns andmedia devices. The premises device can comprise a low energycommunication element that uses a low energy communication protocol suchas WiFi (IEEE 802.11ah), Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), near fieldcommunication (NFC), infrared data association (IrDA), ANT, Zigbee,Z-Wave, ultrasound, and the like. In another example, the premisesdevice can be a wireless access point comprising a WiFi communicationprotocol. Likewise, the user device can comprise one or morecommunication elements that utilize one or more forms of wirelesscommunication protocols. A communication element of a user device or acommunication element of a premises device, utilizing a wirelesscommunication protocol, can comprise an identifier specific to thecommunication element. In an aspect, the communication element cantransmit the identifier specific to the communication element and/or thecommunication element can be utilized by the operating system of theuser device or premises device to monitor for transmitted identifiersand detect a transmission of an identifier from another device using thesame communication protocol as the communication element. The userdevice can detect one or more premises devices or vice versa, and/orestablish a communication session with the one or more premises devices.The manner in which the user device and the premises device detect eachother can depend on the wireless communication protocol each device isusing and in what role (e.g., peripheral device or central device) theuser device and premises device are serving.

In an aspect, the methods and systems disclosed can comprise a beaconusing a low energy communication protocol to determine proximity of auser device. A beacon can be configured as a peripheral device. Thebeacon can be the user device or the premises device. In an aspect, theuser device, configured as a central device, can monitor/scan fortransmissions from the premises device configured as a beacon. Thepremises device transmission can comprise a premises device identifier.If the user device is monitoring for the particular premises deviceidentifier and the user device detects the premises device identifier,then the user device can perform an action and/or establish acommunication session with the premises device. Upon detecting thepremises device identifier of the premises device, the user device cantransmit an indication to the targeted campaign service. The indicationcan comprise a user identifier of a user that is associated with a userdevice identifier of the user device. In another example, the indicationcan comprise the premises device identifier. In another example, theindication can comprise the premises device identifier and the userdevice identifier. The targeted campaign service can use the user deviceidentifier to retrieve a user identifier/user demographic informationfrom a database of user device identifiers that are associated with aparticular user. User demographic information can comprise, for example,age, sex, address, pre-defined interests, gathered interests, educationlevel, occupation, religion, ethnicity, education, and the like.Targeted campaigns can then be selected based on at least the useridentifier. Targeted campaigns can also be selected based on thepremises device identifier that was detected. The targeted campaign canbe sent to the user device or a nearby media device.

In an aspect, the methods and systems disclosed can utilize a WiFiaccess point to determine proximity of a user device. WiFi can be usedto detect the presence of a user device in several ways. In one example,the user device can connect to a wireless access point acting as apremises device. In another example, the wireless access point candetect a user device through passive listening. User devices, havingWiFi capability, can constantly send out packets searching for accesspoints with which the user device is familiar. A wireless access pointcan listen for those packets and may respond, letting the user deviceknow that the access point is within range. The user device need notactually connect with the wireless access point for the wireless accesspoint to detect the user device. The wireless access point can alsomonitor for user devices that are connected to other wireless accesspoints. The wireless access point and supporting WiFi infrastructure cansend an indication of a presence of the user device to the targetedcampaign service. The indication can comprise the user device identifier(e.g., SSID). The indication can also comprise an identifier of the WiFiaccess point. The targeted campaign service can use the user deviceidentifier to retrieve a user identifier/user demographic informationfrom a database of user device identifiers that are associated with aparticular user. Targeted campaigns can then be selected based on atleast the user identifier. Targeted campaigns can also be selected basedon the premises device identifier that was detected. If a WiFi accesspoint is used to determine proximity of the user device and anapplication is not on the user device or if the user device is acting asthe peripheral beacon, then an alternative media device (e.g., a digitalsign, a set top box) can be used to communicate the targeted campaignsto the user of the user device. If the user device is configured as alow energy communication protocol central device, then the applicationis assumed to be on the user device and no alternative content device isrequired for two-way communication with the user. However, additionalmedia devices may optionally be used either exclusively or inconjunction with the user device.

In an aspect, in the methods and systems disclosed, the premises devicecan be associated with a media device. For example, the media device cancomprise a set-top box, a digital streaming device, a gaming device, amedia storage device, a digital recording device, a digital sign, acombination thereof, and/or the like. In an example, the media devicecan comprise the premises device. In another example, the premisesdevice can be nearby the media device and may or may not be incommunication with the media device. Associations (e.g., pairing, beingin signal communication, mapping, detection between, and the like.) canbe made between the media device and the premises device. Theassociations can be stored on the targeted campaign service in adatabase. The associations can be based on a media device identifier ofthe media device and a premises devices device identifier of thepremises device. The association of the media device identifier with thepremises device identifier can indicate the premises device is locatednear the media device. When the user device detects a premises device orvice versa and the proximity platform of the targeted campaign servicedetermines the user of the user device based on user device identifiers,the proximity platform can associate the user and/or user deviceidentifier to the media device by common premises device identifiersassociated with both the user device and the media device. Theassociation can indicate that the user is in proximity of the mediadevice. The proximity platform, after receiving an indication comprisingthe premises device identifier and the user identifier of the user ofthe user device, can determine which of one or more media devices thepremises device is associated with by retrieving associations ofpremises device identifiers and media device identifiers from thedatabase. The proximity platform can then associate the user detected bythe premises device to the media device(s) associated with the premisesdevice. In addition, association of a user to media devices need not be1:1. The proximity platform can associate one or more groups or aplurality of users at a location to one or a plurality of media devices.A group demographic profile or a demographic profile of the combinationof the plurality of individuals can be used to display group appropriatecampaigns and/or provide campaigns to all media devices in the location.

In an aspect, the methods and systems disclosed can detect when a userbegins interacting with the media device and the proximity platform ofthe targeted campaign service can receive a request to identify the userof the media device. For example, the proximity platform can receive arequest from a user information system (UIS) of the targeted campaignservice when the media device detects a content request or other userinteraction with the media device. The media device can send a requestto a campaign management system of the targeted campaign service for therequested content. A campaign can be customizable by a campaign manager.A campaign can be content (e.g. video, audio, and the like), actions oninteractive applications, ticketing for events, point of saleintegration and ordering, loyalty/shopping rewards programs,advertisement content and the like. The campaign can be inserted intothe requested content. For example, a campaign can be an advertisementthat can be customizable by an advertising decisioning system (ADS)based on the user of the media device. The ADS can comprise a list ofall the possible advertisements that can be inserted for a piece ofcontent (e.g., video). The ADS can determine what ads to insert andwhen. The ADS can query the UIS for information regarding whichadvertisements to insert. The UIS can comprise information such asdemographic information on users. The UIS can receive, from theproximity platform, identifiers of user(s) interacting with the mediadevice. The ADS can determine which advertisement from the list of allthe possible advertisements to be inserted into the piece of contentrequested and either insert the advertisement or send the advertisementto be inserted by the media device.

In an aspect, the methods and systems disclosed can determine aconfidence level that the current user of the user device is also theuser of a media device. In an aspect, a proximity platform can determinethe confidence level. The confidence level can comprise an identityconfidence level of a particular user of the user device. The identityconfidence level can be a measure of a likelihood that a particular useris the current user of the user device. The confidence level cancomprise a proximity confidence level. The proximity confidence levelcan be a measure of how close the current user of the user device is tothe media device and a likelihood that the current user is in thatrange. The confidence level can comprise both the identity confidencelevel and the proximity confidence level. With respect to the identityconfidence level, one or more factors can be considered when determiningthe identity confidence level. For example, the type of user devicedetected can be a factor in determining the identity confidence level.Certain types of devices such as a tablet or laptop are more likely tobe shared devices amongst members of a family while wearable devices orsmart phones are more likely to be associated with one user. Therefore,the user devices detected that are more likely to be associated with oneuser can be given a higher identity confidence level than those that aremore likely to be associated with more than one user. With respect tothe proximity confidence level, the proximity platform can be incommunication with one or more premises devices comprising one or morecommunication elements utilizing one or more communication protocols.The media device can be associated with more than one premises device.For example, the media device can be associated with an SSID of awireless access point and a UUID of a low energy communication protocoldevice. The user device can establish a communication session with thewireless access point and can detect a transmission from a low energycommunication protocol device. The low energy communication protocoldevice may have a shorter communication range than the wireless accesspoint and if the low energy communication protocol device itself is inclose proximity to the media device, then there is a high proximityconfidence level that the user of the user device is using the mediadevice. However, if the wireless access point is only detecting the userdevice, then there would be a lower proximity confidence level that theuser of the user device is using the media device as well. If the one ormore premises devices detect a second user device associated with asecond user, then a proximity confidence level can be determined forboth the first user and the second user based on which premises devicesare detecting which user devices.

In an aspect, the methods and systems disclosed can associate a useridentifier with the media device based on the user device identifier andthe confidence level. In an aspect, the proximity platform can associatethe user identifier to the media device. In an aspect, the proximityplatform can send the user identifier associated with the media deviceand the confidence level that the user associated with the useridentifier is the user of the media device to the SIS. Based on theconfidence level of the user or other users that are determined to beassociated with the media device, then the UIS can determine which userdemographic information to access from a database comprising userdemographic information and send the determined user demographicinformation to the ADS. For example, if there is a higher confidencelevel that one user is the user of the media device over another userthen user demographic information for the user having the higherconfidence level can be accessed and sent to the ADS to determine acampaign to provide to the media device. If both users have a similarconfidence level, then the user information of both users can beaccessed and sent to the ADS and the campaign relevant to both users canbe provided to the media device.

In an aspect, in the methods and systems disclosed, the proximityplatform can be utilized in a system that does not require userinteraction with the media device. For example, a location/venue such asa stadium can utilize the proximity platform to deliver targetedcampaigns to media devices (e.g., a display device, digital signage, apresentation device, and the like) scattered throughout the location. Inthe methods and systems disclosed at least one premises device can beassociated with at least one media device. Each of the premises devicescan comprise one or more wireless communication elements. The one ormore wireless communication elements can use a wireless communicationprotocol. The premises device can detect a plurality of user devicesand/or establish a communication session with the plurality of userdevices. A transmission from a user device of the plurality of userdevices can comprise a user device identifier. The user device can beconfigured as a peripheral device and the premises device can beconfigured as a central device. If the premises device is monitoring fora particular user device identifier of a user device or vice versa andthe premises device detects the user device identifier, then thepremises device can perform an action and/or establish a communicationsession with the user device. In the methods and system disclosed, atargeted campaign service can monitor for a user device identifier viathe premises device. As an example, the premises device configured as acentral device can act as a relay for the BLE communication to thetargeted campaign service. Similarly, for WiFi analytics, a gateway atthe location can aggregate WiFi association, authentication, and trafficdata, which can be relayed to the targeted campaign service.

In an aspect, the methods and systems disclosed can comprise detectionof a user device identifier of a user device by a premises device (usingWiFi or BLE) and/or detection of the premises device identifier of thepremises device by the user device (when the user device is a BLEcentral). Upon detecting the user device identifier or the premisesdevice identifier, an indication can be transmitted to the proximityplatform. The indication can comprise a user identifier of a user thatis associated with the user device identifier (e.g., MAC address forWiFi, BLE, Zigbee; an operating system device identifier, and the like),the user device identifier, and/or the premises device identifier. In anaspect, the proximity platform can use the user device identifier toretrieve a user identifier from a database of user devices that areassociated with a particular user. In an aspect, the user identifier canbe initially of an anonymous user with a known user device identifier.Over time, one or more email address, other personally identifiableinformation, and the like can be linked to the user device identifier todetermine a user identifier. Since linking personally identifiableinformation over time can result in duplicate records for a given userand the user's devices, as a user identifier is progressively built, therecords can be merged with common data entries between the duplicaterecords.

In an aspect, the methods and systems disclosed can determine aconfidence level that a user device of a plurality of user devices iswithin a presentation area of a media device (e.g., a display device, adigital sign, a presentation device, a speaker, and the like) associatedwith a premises device. For example, the proximity platform candetermine the confidence level. The proximity platform can be incommunication with one or more premises devices comprising one or morecommunication elements utilizing one or more communication protocols.The media device can be associated with more than one premises device.For example, the media device can be associated with an SSID of awireless access point and a UUID of a BLE device. The user device canestablish a communication session with the wireless access point and bedetected by the BLE device. In the methods and systems disclosed, theuser device can detect the BLE device. The BLE device may have a shortercommunication range than the wireless access point and if the BLE deviceis in close proximity to the media device, then there is a highconfidence level that the user of the user device is within apresentation area of the media device. However, if only the wirelessaccess point is detecting the user device, then there would be a lowerconfidence level that the user of the user device is within thepresentation area of the media device. If a detection is made between atleast one premises device and a second user device associated with asecond user, then a confidence level can be determined for both thefirst user and the second user based on the detections between premisesdevices, the user device, and the second user device. Therefore, themore premises devices that detect the user device, a more accurateconfidence level can be determined that the user of the user device iswithin the presentation area of the media device.

In an aspect, the methods and systems disclosed can determine, based onthe user identifier associated with the user device and the confidencelevel, a campaign to be presented on one or more media devices. Theproximity platform can transmit the campaign, which may comprisecontent, overlays, audio, video, text, advertisements, and the like tomedia device. In an aspect, the proximity platform can cause a campaignmanagement system to transmit the campaign to the media device. Inanother example, the proximity platform can send the user identifierinformation and the confidence level to a third party content server, anadvertisement engine, an offer management system, a game engine,combinations thereof, and the like to determine the content to transmitto the media device.

In an aspect, the methods and systems disclosed can cause the userdevice configured as a peripheral device can to be configured as thecentral device. One or more premises devices configured as a peripheraldevice or combination of premises devices acting as peripheral devicesand central devices can be associated with one or more media devices ofa plurality of media devices. A user device can act as a mobile centraldevice. The user device can have an application installed comprising atleast one premises device identifier registered with the user device'soperating system so that the operating system can monitor for the atleast one premises device identifier of a premises device. For example,the operating system of the user device can monitor for premises deviceidentifiers, such as UUIDs, of premises devices that are of interest tothe application installed on the user device. As the user devicetraverses space, the user device can detect transmissions from one ormore premises devices that may be associated with the media devices.When the user device detects a premises device identifier for which theoperating system is monitoring, the user device can transmit anindication that the user device detected the premises device identifier.In an aspect, the user device can transmit the indication comprising theuser device identifier, user identifier, premises device identifier,combinations thereof, and the like over the network to the proximityplatform of the targeted campaign service.

In an aspect, the methods and systems disclosed can comprise a presenceengine that can register when the detection of a premises deviceoccurred. The proximity platform can associate the user device with thepremises device when the proximity platform receives a first indicationcomprising a user device identifier of the user device and a premisesdevice identifier of the premises device. The indication indicatesdetection between the user device and the premises device. When the userdevice no longer detects the premises device, then a second indicationcan be sent to the proximity platform that the user device no longerdetects the premises device. The presence engine can de-register a userwhen the user device no longer detects the premises device. Furthermore,the proximity platform can dissociate the user device with the premisesdevice. The proximity platform dissociates the user device from thepremises device to maintain accuracy of who is currently within apresentation area of a media device. In an aspect, even if a user deviceis still associated with a premises device, the presence engine cande-register a given user after a defined timeout period where nosubsequent proximity data has been received to prevent false positivesof presence. For example, a user device may be left at a location tocharge. Therefore, the user of the user device is likely not present andtherefore not within the presentation area of the media device so thetargeted campaign service should not provide a targeted campaign basedon that user device. In an aspect, the presence engine can register andde-register events of association and dissociation of the user devicefrom one or more premises devices as the user device traverses space.The registered and de-registered events can be used to establish acontinued presence of a user device at various media devices. Acontinued presence can be used as a factor in determining which campaignto present to a media device. The continued presence of a user devicecan indicate that the user of the user device is interested in somethingbeing presented by the media device or something that is near the mediadevice.

In an aspect, the methods and systems disclosed can comprise a targetedcampaign service that can comprise cross platform campaigns. A userdevice can comprise one or more applications that provide the userdevice with one or more premises device identifiers. The user device canmonitor for transmission of the premises device identifiers. The userdevice can detect a transmission of a first premises device identifierfrom a first premises device. The user device can log/store thedetection of the first premises device identifier. In an aspect, theuser device can detect a transmission of a second premises deviceidentifier from a second premises device. The application on the userdevice can determine whether a condition exists between the detection ofthe transmission of the first premises device identifier and the secondpremises device identifier. Example conditions can comprise one or moreof, order of detection of the first premises device identifier and thesecond premises device identifier, time between detection of the firstpremises device identifier and the second premises device identifier,whether an event occurred between the detection of the first premisesdevice identifier and the second premises device identifier, and thelike. If the condition exists, the user device can receive a campaign onthe user device. The campaign can be associated with the condition. Inthe methods and systems disclosed, alternatively, the user device canrelay detection of the transmission of the first premises deviceidentifier and/or the second premises device identifier to the targetedcampaign service. The targeted campaign service can determine whether acondition exists between the detection of the transmission of the firstpremises device identifier and the second premises device identifier. Inthe methods and systems disclosed, if the user device is withinreception of both a first premises device identifier corresponding to afirst campaign and a second premises device identifier corresponding toa second campaign, the user device can relay the identifiers to thetargeted campaign service. The targeted campaign service can determinewhich campaign takes priority. The priority of the campaign can be basedon a global priority and/or based on the user of the user device such asuser history, preference, a user profile, defined thresholds of numberof campaigns, combinations thereof, and the like. For example, the usermay have already viewed a particular campaign or the user has received amaximum number of campaigns in an hour.

As an example of the methods and systems disclosed, a user of a userdevice can enter a first location/venue such as a sports arena. The userdevice can have one or more applications that register at least onepremises device identifier for the user device's operating system tomonitor. As the user moves around the first location, the user devicecan detect transmission of at least one premises device identifier ofone or more premises devices. A condition may exist that if the userattended the first location, when the user visits a second location theuser will get a coupon for the second location at the user device. Anapplication (e.g., a mobile application, a plurality of mobileapplications, or a cloud service) associated with campaigns for thefirst location, the second location, or both can determine whether thecondition exists. The targeted campaign service can determine whetherthe condition exists. Once the user enters the second location with theuser's user device acting as a central device, the user device canmonitor for the one or more premises device identifiers. If the userdevice detects/discovers one of the premises device identifiers, thenthe user device can determine whether there is a condition for thedetected/discovered premises device identifier. Example conditions cancomprise one or more of, order of detection of a first premises deviceidentifier and a second premises device identifier, time betweendetection of the first premises device identifier and the secondpremises device identifier, whether an event occurred between thedetection of the first premises device identifier and the secondpremises device identifier, and the like. If there is a condition, thenthe user device or targeted campaign service through the proximityplatform can determine whether or not the condition is met. In anaspect, the application can signal to the targeted campaign service thatthe condition is met and the targeted campaign service can provide thecoupon or other campaign that is associated with the condition (e.g.,whether or not the user attend the first location).

In an aspect, upon detecting a transmission of a first premises deviceidentifier, a condition in the application can be met which can unlockadditional premises device identifiers for which the user device canmonitor. In an aspect, the user device can relay the first premisesdevice identifier to the targeted campaign service that can unlockadditional premises device identifiers for which the user device canmonitor. In an aspect, the condition can be based on proximity andconfidence levels determined by the proximity platform. In an aspect,the condition can be based on continued presence. In an aspect, thecondition can be met based on location rather than detecting a secondpremises device identifier.

In an aspect, in the methods and systems described, the targetedcampaign service can comprise an event scheduler. The event schedulercan be used for a location/venue that can have one or more events thatare occurring at the same time or at different times. The eventscheduler can be referenced by the proximity platform to identify whichcampaigns are currently active for a set of premises device identifiersand/or which premises device identifiers are currently active. Inanother aspect, user devices that are monitoring for premises deviceidentifiers need to know which premises device identifiers to monitorfor and which applications need to be active when the user is present atthe location/venue. In an aspect, the event scheduler can receive anevent schedule of a first event and a second event occurring at thelocation. The location can have one or more premises devices eachcomprising a premises device identifier that can be the same ordifferent. A user device can have an application for each event, anapplication for an organization (e.g., sports team), and/or anapplication for the venue such that the application is associated with agiven event. The proximity platform can provide a list of at least onepremises device identifier for which the user device to monitor. In anaspect, the list of at least one premises device identifier can be basedon a given active campaign that is scheduled by the event scheduler. Inan aspect, the premises device identifiers can be static in that they donot change. Certain premises devices and corresponding premises deviceidentifiers can therefore be assigned to the first event while otherpremises devices and corresponding premises device identifiers can beassigned to the second event. The event scheduler can communicate to theuser device which premises device identifiers are active. In an aspect,a campaign manager can cause the proximity platform to assign thepremises device identifiers to specific applications within a timelinedefined in the event scheduler. For example, an application associatedwith a first event or features of an application associated with thefirst and second events can monitor for the premises device identifiersat a first time when the first event is occurring. The targeted campaignmanager can then dissociate the premises device identifiers with thefirst event and associate them with a second event when the second eventbegins. In an aspect, more than one application can be eligible for acampaign at the same location. The proximity platform can then determinewhich campaign takes precedence. An application on the user deviceassociated with the second event or associated with both the first andsecond event can monitor for the premises device identifiers at a secondtime when the second event is occurring. The targeted campaign servicecan dissociate the premises device identifiers from the second eventwhen the second event has ended. In an aspect, the proximity platformcan end the campaign for the second event when the second event hasended.

In an aspect, the methods and systems can comprise premises devices thatcan comprise dynamic premises device identifiers. The proximity platformcan assign new premises device identifiers to the premises devicesdepending on which event is taking place according to the eventscheduler. In an aspect, the proximity platform can assign a first setof premises device identifiers at a first time to a plurality ofperipheral devices at the location/venue. The first set of premisesdevice identifiers can be associated with a first application and afirst event. In an aspect, the proximity platform can assign a secondset of premises device identifiers at a second time to the plurality ofpremises devices at the location/venue. The second set of premisesdevice identifiers can be associated with a second application and asecond event. The second set of premises device identifiers can replacethe first set of premises device identifiers.

In an aspect, the targeted campaign service can provide one or morecampaigns to a plurality of locations. In an aspect, a user device canmonitor for a finite number of identifiers. In an aspect, the userdevice can monitor for a finite (e.g., maximum) number of premisesdevice identifiers per application. For example, a user device canmonitor for 20 UUIDs for a first application and 20 UUIDs for a secondapplication. As an example, the user device can monitor for 20 UUIDstotal. The monitoring for premises device identifiers can be performedby the application while the application is in the background.Monitoring for a finite number of premises device identifiers can reducethe power consumption of the user device in comparison to continuousmonitoring for any number of premises device identifier. In an aspect,each location can be associated with a premises device identifier. In anaspect, because the user device can only monitor for a finite number ofpremises device identifiers, the premises device identifier can be thesame for one or more of the plurality of locations if there are morelocations than the finite number of premises device identifiers.

In an aspect, as a user device traverses space, an application runningin the background can monitor for a first set of premises deviceidentifiers. Each of the premises device identifiers can have one ormore locations associated with the premises device identifiers in adatabase. Each premises device identifier of the first set of premisesdevice identifiers can represent a different category. For example, apremises device identifier of the first set may define a category ofsports venues, residential location, restaurants, department store, andthe like. The premises device identifier for each category can beassociated with location information for each location utilizing theapplication. Location information can be determined based on GPS orother secondary communications channels such as WiFi. The user devicecan transmit the premises device identifier and the location informationto the proximity platform. The proximity platform can use the locationinformation and the premises device identifier to determine a second setof premises device identifiers for which the user device to monitor. Thetargeted campaign service can then send the user device the second setof premises device identifiers. The user device can replace the firstset of premises device identifiers with the second set of premisesdevice identifiers. The user device can then monitor for the second setof premises device identifiers in the background. The second set ofpremises device identifiers can include the detected premises deviceidentifier of the first set of premises device identifiers. The firstset of premises device identifiers can then be monitored for again whenthe user device no longer detects a premises device identifier of thesecond set of premises device identifiers. In an aspect, the user devicecan switch back to monitoring the first set of premises device from thesecond set of premises device when the location information isdetermined to no longer be in a range of the location associated withthe premises device identifier of the first set of premises deviceidentifiers. In an aspect, the user device can switch back to monitoringthe first set of premises device identifiers from the second set ofpremises device identifiers when the detected premises device identifierof the first set is no longer detected when leaving the location. Byperforming the preceding actions, an application can monitor for anunlimited number of premises device identifiers while the application isin the background and is not limited to the finite number of premisesdevice identifiers.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a system can be configured to provideservices, such as network-related services, to a user device. FIG. 1illustrates various aspects of an exemplary environment in which thepresent methods and systems can operate. The present disclosure isrelevant to systems and methods for providing services (e.g., targetedcampaign service) to a device, for example, a user device 102. In anaspect, one or more network devices 116 can be configured to providevarious services to one or more devices, such as devices located at ornear a premises. In another aspect, the network devices 116 can beconfigured to recognize an authoritative device for the premises and/ora particular service or services available at the premises. As anexample, an authoritative device can be configured to govern or enableconnectivity to a network 105 such as the Internet or other remoteresources, provide address and/or configuration services like DHCP,and/or provide naming or service discovery services for a premises, or acombination thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatpresent methods may be used in various types of networks and systemsthat employ both digital and analog equipment. One skilled in the artwill appreciate that provided herein is a functional description andthat the respective functions can be performed by software, hardware, ora combination of software and hardware.

The networks and systems can comprise a user device 102 in communicationwith a computing device 104, such as a server, for example. Thecomputing device 104 can be disposed locally or remotely relative to theuser device 102. As an example, the user device 102 and the computingdevice 104 can be in communication via a private and/or public network105 such as the Internet or a local area network. Other forms ofcommunication can be used such as wired and/or wirelesstelecommunication channels, for example. In an aspect, the computingdevice 104 can comprise a targeted communication service 122, such as atargeted campaign service.

In an aspect, the user device 102 can be an electronic device such as acomputer, a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet, a set-top box, a displaydevice, a presentation device, a media device, or other device capableof communicating with the computing device 104. In an aspect, the userdevice 102 can be configured as a central device and/or a peripheraldevice. In an aspect, the user device 102 can comprise a communicationelement 106 for providing an interface to a user to interact with theuser device 102 and/or the computing device 104. The communicationelement 106 can be any interface for presenting and/or receivinginformation to/from the user, such as user feedback. An exampleinterface may be communication interface such as a web browser (e.g.,Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, or the like).In an aspect, the communication interface can comprise a mobileapplication. Other software, hardware, and/or interfaces can be used toprovide communication between the user and one or more of the userdevice 102 and the computing device 104. As an example, thecommunication element 106 can request or query various files from alocal source and/or a remote source. As a further example, thecommunication element 106 can transmit data to a local or remote devicesuch as the computing device 104.

In an aspect, the user device 102 can be associated with a useridentifier or user device identifier 108. As an example, the user deviceidentifier 108 can be any identifier, token, character, string, or thelike, for differentiating one user or user device (e.g., user device102) from another user or user device. In a further aspect, the userdevice identifier 108 can identify a user or user device as belonging toa particular class of users or user devices. As a further example, theuser device identifier 108 can comprise information relating to the userdevice such as a manufacturer, a model or type of device, a serviceprovider associated with the user device 102, a state of the user device102, a locator, and/or a label or classifier. Other information can berepresented by the user device identifier 108.

In an aspect, the user device identifier 108 can comprise an addresselement 110 and a service element 112. In an aspect, the address element110 can comprise or provide an internet protocol address, a networkaddress, a media access control (MAC) address, an Internet address, orthe like. As an example, the address element 110 can be relied upon toestablish a communication session between the user device 102 and thecomputing device 104 or other devices and/or networks. As a furtherexample, the address element 110 can be used as an identifier or locatorof the user device 102. In an aspect, the address element 110 can bepersistent for a particular network 105.

In an aspect, the service element 112 can comprise an identification ofa service provider and/or manufacturer associated with the user device102 and/or with the class of user device 102. The class of the userdevice 102 can be related to a type of device, capability of device,type of service being provided, and/or a level of service (e.g.,business class, service tier, service package, etc.). As an example, theservice element 112 can comprise information relating to or provided bya communication service provider (e.g., Internet service provider) thatis providing or enabling data flow such as communication services to theuser device 102. As a further example, the service element 112 cancomprise information relating to a preferred service provider for one ormore particular services relating to the user device 102. In an aspect,the address element 110 can be used to identify or retrieve data fromthe service element 112, or vice versa. As a further example, one ormore of the address element 110 and the service element 112 can bestored remotely from the user device 102 and retrieved by one or moredevices such as the user device 102 and the computing device 104. Otherinformation can be represented by the service element 112.

In an aspect, the computing device 104 can be a server for communicatingwith the user device 102. As an example, the computing device 104 can bea server associated with a service provider. As an example, thecomputing device 104 can communicate with the user device 102 forproviding data and/or services. As an example, the computing device 104can provide services such as network (e.g., Internet) connectivity,network printing, media management (e.g., media server), contentservices, streaming services, broadband services, or othernetwork-related services. In an aspect, the computing device 104 canallow the user device 102 to interact with remote resources such asdata, devices, and files. As yet another example, the computing device104 can be configured as a component of a cloud network, such as aserver or a router.

In an aspect, the computing device 104 can manage the communicationbetween the user device 102 and a database 114 for sending and receivingdata therebetween. As an example, the database 114 can store a pluralityof files (e.g., web pages), user identifiers or records, or otherinformation. As a further example, the user device 102 can requestand/or retrieve a file from the database 114. In an aspect, the database114 can store information relating to the user device 102 such as theaddress element 110 and/or the service element 112. As an example, thecomputing device 104 can obtain the user device identifier 108 from theuser device 102 and retrieve information from the database 114 such asthe address element 110 and/or the service elements 112. As a furtherexample, the computing device 104 can obtain the address element 110from the user device 102 and can retrieve the service element 112 fromthe database 114, or vice versa. Any information can be stored in andretrieved from the database 114. The database 114 can be disposedremotely from the computing device 104 and accessed via direct orindirect connection. The database 114 can be integrated with thecomputing device 104 or some other device or system.

In an aspect, the computing device 104 can comprise the targetedcommunication service 122. The targeted communication service 122 cancomprise a plurality of modules to determine proximity of a user device102 to a premises device 119 and/or a network device 116, identify auser of the user device, and provide a targeted campaign to the user ofthe user device at the user device and/or a media device associated withthe premises device 119. A campaign can comprise content (e.g. video,audio, and the like), actions on interactive applications, ticketing forevents, point of sale integration and ordering, loyalty/shopping rewardsprograms, advertisements, and the like. The targeted communicationservice 122 and the modules of the targeted communication service 122are described in more detail below in the description for FIG. 2.

In an aspect, one or more network devices such as a network device 116can be in communication with a network such as network 105. As anexample, the network device 116 can facilitate the connection of adevice, such as user device 102, to the network 105. As a furtherexample, the network device 116 can be configured as a wireless accesspoint (WAP). In an aspect, the network device 116 can be configured toallow one or more wireless devices to connect to a wired and/or wirelessnetwork using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, BLE, NFC, IrDA, ANT, Zigbee, Z-Wave,ultrasound, or any desired method or standard. In an aspect, the networkdevice 116 can be configured as a peripheral device and/or a centraldevice.

In an aspect, the network device 116 can be configured as a local areanetwork (LAN). As an example, the network device 116 can comprise a dualband wireless access point. As an example, the network device 116 can beconfigured with a first service set identifier (SSID) (e.g., associatedwith a user network or private network) to function as a local networkfor a particular user or set of users. As a further example, the networkdevice 116 can be configured with a second service set identifier (SSID)(e.g., associated with a public/community network or a hidden network)to function as a secondary network or redundant network for connectedcommunication devices.

In an aspect, the network device 116 can comprise an identifier 118. Asan example, one or more identifiers 118 can be or relate to an InternetProtocol (IP) Address IPV4/IPV6 or a media access control address (MACaddress) or the like. As a further example, one or more identifiers 118can be a unique identifier for facilitating communications on a physicalnetwork segment. In an aspect, each of the one or more network devicescan comprise a distinct identifier 118. As an example, the identifiers118 can be associated with a physical location of the network devices.

In an aspect, one or more premises devices such as a premises device 119can be in communication with a user device 102. In an aspect, thepremises device 119 can be in communication with the network 105 and canbe configured such as the network device 116. The premises device 119can be a low energy device, such as Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) device.BLE is a protocol that allows for long-term operation of Bluetooth®devices in low-volume data transmission. BLE can enable smaller formfactors, better power optimization, and power cells that last for yearson a single charge. BLE can function by transmitting brief bursts oflow-bitrate data. BLE devices can operate for significantly longerperiods of time with the same total power usage by drastically reducingthe time spent at peak power consumption. The central-peripheralrelationship described throughout the application can be accomplishedusing the BLE protocol. In various aspects, the premises device 119 canbe configured with other low energy protocols such as near fieldcommunication (NFC), infrared data association (IrDA), ANT, Zigbee,Z-wave, ultrasound, and the like. In some aspects, a low energy devicecan be characterized as using less than about 200 microwatts per bit ofdata transmission, having a maximum current draw of less than about 50milliamps, and/or less than about 0.2 milliwatts of power usage. Otherlow energy devices are specifically contemplated.

In an aspect, the premises device 119 can be configured as a peripheraldevice. For example, the premises device 119 can be configured as abeacon where the premises device 119 transmits packets that include anidentifier 120 (e.g., premises device identifier) of the premises device119. As an example, the premises device 119 can be configured as a BLEbeacon. The premises device 119 can broadcast the identifier 120 whichcan be a universal unique identifier (UUID). In an aspect, the userdevice 102 can be configured as a central device that monitors for oneor more identifiers. If the identifier 120 is an identifier for whichuser device 102 monitors and the user device 102 detects the identifier120, then the user device 102 can perform an action based on theidentifier 120 the user device 102 detected. The user device 102 may bemonitoring for the identifier 120 based on an application installed onthe user device 102. As an example, the action can be to establish acommunication session between the premises device 119 and the userdevice 102. As another example, the action can be performed at the userdevice such as “waking up” the application and/or performing a function(e.g., provide content) of the application.

In an aspect, alternatively or in combination, the premises device 119can be configured as a central device and the user device 102 can beconfigured as a peripheral device. The user device 102 can betransmitting an identifier such as the user device identifier 108. In anaspect, the user device identifier 108 can comprise a UUID (e.g., MACaddress). The premises device 119 can monitor for one or more userdevice identifiers. If the premises device 119 detects a user deviceidentifier for which the premises device 119 monitors, then the premisesdevice 119 can perform an action as above where the user device 102 wasthe central device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary system 200 for proximitydetection and providing targeted campaigns. The system 200 can comprisea client component 202, a targeted communication service 122, and apremises device 206. The client component 202 can comprise one or moreuser devices such as user device 102 of FIG. 1. A user of clientcomponents 202 can receive a targeted campaign and receive a unique userexperience through one or more sources such as a mobile application 208,a presentation device 210, a media device 212 (e.g., a gateway, atelevision set top box, a game console, and the like), combinationsthereof, and the like. The targeted communication service 122 can beconfigured on one or more computing devices such as computing device 104of FIG. 1. The targeted communication service 122 can comprise aproximity platform 214, a campaign manager 216, an event scheduler 218,a data warehouse 220, a user information system 222 (e.g., a subscriberinformation system), a Wi-Fi and a analytics dashboard 224, one or morethird party data feeds 226, a campaign management system (CMS) and acontent delivery network (CDN) service 228, a video multicasting module230, combinations thereof, and the like. In an aspect, the premisesdevice 206 can comprise network devices and premises devices such as thenetwork device 116 and/or the premises device 119 of FIG. 1. In anaspect, the premises device 206 can comprise one or more wireless (e.g.,Wi-Fi) access points 232, one or more low energy beacons 234, one ormore proximity modules 236, combinations thereof, and the like. The oneor more Wi-Fi access points 232 can comprise a communication elementthat uses a WiFi communication protocol. The one or more low energybeacons 234 can comprise a low energy communication element that uses alow energy communication protocol such as WiFi (IEEE 802.11ah),Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), near field communication (NFC), infrareddata association (IrDA), ANT, Zigbee, Z-Wave, ultrasound, and the like.

As an example, the proximity module 236 can comprise one or more oftemperature sensors, proximity sensors, user recognition sensors,humidity sensors, thermostats, motion sensors, contact sensors,microphones for audible or ultrasonic cues, a camera, stereoscopiccamera, wide-angle camera, biometric sensor, user tracking device, RFsensor, and/or any other device for determining a user state orcondition. In an aspect, the proximity module 236 (or a combination ofmultiple sensors) can be configured to determine (e.g., capture,retrieve, sense, measure, detect, extract, or the like) informationrelating to one or more users. As an example, the proximity module 236can be configured to determine the presence of one or more users withina field of operation of the proximity module 236. As a further example,the proximity module 236 can be configured to determine a user state,such as behavior, biometrics, movement, physical and/or chemicalcharacteristics, facial recognition location, reaction, body heatanalysis, behavioral analysis, eye tracking, head tracking and othercharacteristics relating to one or more users. Other characteristics,identifiers, and features can be detected and/or monitored by theproximity module 236 such as gestures, sounds (e.g., voice, laughter),and environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, time of day, date,lighting, and the like).

In an aspect, the premises device 206 comprising the Wi-Fi access points232, the low energy beacons 234, and the proximity modules 236 cancomprise software, hardware, algorithms, processor executableinstructions, and the like to enable the premises device 206 to process,route, and/or broadcast any data captured or retrieved by the premisesdevice 206. As a further example, the premises device 206 can transmitdata captured or retrieved thereby to a device or system incommunication with the premises device 206.

In an aspect, the client component 202 can comprise a user device suchas the user device 102 of FIG. 1. As an example, the user device 102 canbe a user device such as a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a wearabledevice, and the like. The user device can comprise one or more mobileapplications 208. The mobile application 208 can comprise a provider'sapplication developed with a targeted campaign software development kit(SDK) and/or third party applications developed using the targetedcampaign SDK. The mobile application 208 can cause an operating systemof a user device to monitor for identifiers of low energy beacons 234.Upon detecting a low energy beacon 234, the user device 102 can performan action and/or receive a campaign from the targeted communicationservice 122. An action can be “waking up” the mobile application 208,causing a function of the mobile application 208 to be performed, andthe like. A campaign can comprise content (e.g. video, audio, and thelike), actions on interactive applications, ticketing for events, pointof sale integration and ordering, loyalty/shopping rewards programs,advertisements, and the like. In an aspect, the action can be the mobileapplication 208 causes the user device 102 to transmit an identifier ofthe user device and/or an identifier of the premise device to thetargeted communication service 122 to determine an identity of a user ofthe user device and campaigns to be presented to the user of the userdevice based on the premises device detected and/or user demographicinformation of the user. In an aspect, the mobile application 208 can beconfigured to archive all campaigns in a central area in the mobileapplication 208 for later viewing or later use of a coupon. In anaspect, the mobile application 208 can remove campaigns from the centrallocation based on an expiration of time. The expiration of time can beuser specified and/or campaign specified.

In an aspect, the premises device 206 can monitor for identifiers ofclients 202 (e.g., user devices 102). Upon detection of an identifier,the premises device 206 can signal the targeted communication service122 to perform a service and/or cause an action to be performed by thepremises device 206, and/or any of the clients 202. A service can beproviding a targeted campaign to a client 202. An action can be “wakingup” the mobile application 208, causing a function of the mobileapplication 208 to be performed, causing the premises device 206 toestablish a communication session between a user device 102 and premisesdevice 206.

In an aspect, the client component 202 can comprise a presentationdevice 210. The presentation device 210 can be a television, an LCDdisplay, a monitor, a projector, a jumbotron, an audio device, aninteractive device, combinations thereof and the like. In an aspect, theclient component 202 can comprise a media device 212 such as a set topbox, a computing device, a gaming console, and the like that can providean output to the presentation device 210. In an aspect, the media device212 can comprise the presentation device 210. In some aspects, the mediadevice can also comprise the presentation device 210. In an aspect, themedia device can comprise the user device 102. Any step and/or result ofthe methods directed toward the media device 212 can be output in anyform to an output device. Such output can be any form of visualrepresentation, including, but not limited to, textual, graphical,animation, audio, tactile, and the like. In an aspect, the media device212 can receive targeted campaigns from the targeted communicationservice 122 based on the users that are in proximity to the presentationdevice 210 and/or media device 212. Proximity can be determined througha combination of user devices and one or more premises devices 206 thatare associated with the presentation device 210 and/or media device 212.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can comprise aproximity platform 214. The proximity platform 214 can be used todetermine a location of a user based on the user's user device withrespect to a presentation device 210, media device 212, other userdevices, premises device 206, combinations thereof, and the like. Theproximity platform 214 can determine location of the user's user devicebased on known locations of premises device(s) 206 that can beassociated with various client components 202. The proximity platform214 is described further herein.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can comprise acampaign manager 216. The campaign manager 216 can be used to managecampaigns on the targeted communication service 122. A campaign cancomprise content (e.g. video, audio, and the like), actions oninteractive applications, ticketing for events, point of saleintegration and ordering, loyalty/shopping rewards programs, and thelike. The campaign manager 216 can comprise one or more business rules,conditions, criteria, and the like for each campaign. The proximityplatform 214 can be used in conjunction with the campaign manager 216 indetermining whether a business rule has been met.

For example, the campaign manager 216 can have a business rule for whena user device is within range of a premises device 206, a campaign canbe initiated for that user device. The proximity platform 214 can make adetermination that the user device is within range of the premisesdevice 206 when the user device notifies the proximity platform 214 thatthe user device has detected a premises device 206 such as a low energybeacon 234 for which the user device is monitoring. The proximityplatform 214 can notify the campaign manager 216 of the proximity of theuser device to the low energy beacon 234. The campaign manager 216 candetermine whether any business rules are met based on the proximity ofthe user device to the low energy beacon 234. If the business rule issatisfied, the campaign manager 216 can provide the campaign to the userdevice.

In aspect, the proximity of the user can comprise a confidence level ofthe proximity of the user to the premises device 206. A business rulecan be based on the confidence level of proximity as well as theconfidence level of an individual or group of individuals' demographics.The proximity platform 214 of the targeted communication service 122 candetermine a confidence level that a particular user is interacting withthe media device 212. The targeted communication service 122 can providecampaigns such as targeted advertisements to the media device 212, forthe particular user(s) determined to be interacting with the mediadevice 212.

In an aspect, the confidence level can comprise an identity confidencelevel of a particular user of the user device 102. The identityconfidence level can be a measure of the likelihood that a particularuser is the current user of the user device 102. In an aspect, theconfidence level can comprise a proximity confidence level. Theproximity confidence level can be a measure of how close the currentuser of the user device 102 is to a media device 212 and/or a premisesdevice 206 and a likelihood that the current user is in that range. Theconfidence level can comprise both the identity confidence level and theproximity confidence level. With respect to the identity confidencelevel, one or more factors can be considered when determining theidentity confidence level. For example, the type of user device 102detected can be a factor in determining the identity confidence level.Certain types of devices such as a tablet or laptop are more likely tobe shared devices amongst members of a family while wearable devices orsmart phones are more likely to be associated with one user. Therefore,user devices detected that are more likely to be associated with oneuser can be given a higher identity confidence level than those that aremore likely to be associated with more than one user.

With respect to the proximity confidence level, the proximity platform214 can be in communication with one or more premises devices 206comprising one or more communication elements utilizing one or morecommunication protocols. The media device 212 can be associated withmore than one premises device 206. For example, the media device 212 canbe associated with an SSID of a wireless access point 232 and a UUID ofa low energy communication protocol device (e.g., low energy beacon234). A first user device can establish a communication session with thewireless access point 232 and can detect a transmission from a lowenergy beacon 234. The low energy beacon 234 may have a shortercommunication range than the wireless access point 232 and if the lowenergy beacon 234, itself, is in close proximity to the media device212, then there is a high proximity confidence level that a first userof the first user device is using the media device 212. However, if thewireless access point 232 is only detecting the first user device, thenthere would be a lower proximity confidence level that the first user ofthe first user device is using the media device 212 as well. If the oneor more premises devices 206 detect a second user device associated witha second user, then a proximity confidence level can be determined forboth the first user and the second user based on which premises devices206 are detecting which of the first user device and second user device.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can interact withan event scheduler 218. In an aspect, the event scheduler 218 can manageor define events within which a campaign is active. The proximityplatform 214 can manage premises devices 206 and premises deviceidentifiers based on which campaigns are active. In an aspect, thepremises device 206 can be at a location that has more than one event.For example, some arenas can be used for professional basketball games,professional hockey games, and concerts. In some aspects, the events canbe at different times during the same day. A first event can occur for afirst time duration and a second event can occur for a second timeduration at the location. In an aspect, the event scheduler 218 cancause the proximity platform 214 to associate the premises deviceidentifiers of the premises device 206 with the particular event that isoccurring at the location at a particular time. In an aspect, theproximity platform 214 can activate or deactivate campaigns based on theevents defined by the event scheduler 218. For example, an hour before abasketball game and an hour after the basketball game the eventscheduler 218 can have scheduled one or more campaigns. The eventscheduler 218, based on the scheduled campaigns can cause the proximityplatform 214 to associate premises device identifiers of the premisesdevice 206 with a mobile application associated with the basketballgame. A first mobile application for the basketball game can beactivated at that time and monitor for identifiers of the premisesdevice 206 during the scheduled time. The campaign manager 216 canprovide campaigns based on the basketball game and the mobileapplication for the basketball game. In an aspect, a second mobileapplication (e.g., application for a hockey team) can use the samepremises device 206 comprising the same identifiers. However, theproximity platform 214 may have no campaigns scheduled at the time whenthere are campaigns scheduled for the first mobile application.Therefore, the proximity platform 214 will not deliver any campaignsrelating to the second mobile application for the hockey team when thebasketball game is occurring at the scheduled time. In an aspect, theproximity platform 214 can reassign identifiers to the premises device206 when the first event is occurring so that the premises device 206has a first set of identifiers detectable by the first mobileapplication. When the second event begins or for a period of time beforeor after the second event, the event scheduler 218 can cause theproximity platform 214 to assign a second set of premises deviceidentifiers to the premises device 206 detectable by the second mobileapplication. Furthermore, the event scheduler 218 can provideinformation to the campaign manager 216 to determine which businessrules and campaigns are active.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can comprise one ormore data warehouses 220. The data warehouse 220 can comprise one ormore databases such as database 114 of FIG. 1. The data warehouse 220can store premises device identifiers for the premises device 206,associated client components 202 with premises device, profiles of usersbased on identifiers of user devices comprising demographic information,campaigns received by a user, content received by user, tracking ofassociations and dissociations times with the premises device 206,business rules for campaigns, combinations thereof, and the like.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can interface witha user information system (UIS) 222. The UIS 222 can maintain user-leveldemographic information of users of client components 202. The UIS 222can request/receive user-level demographic information from one or morethird party data feeds 226 described further below. The UIS 222 canmanage user demographics in the data warehouse 220. The UIS 222 canretrieve user demographic information from the data warehouse 220 toprovide user demographic information to other services to help determinea campaign for a particular user. The user demographic information canbe organized in the data warehouse 220 under one or more identifiers ofone or more user devices associated by the user. In an aspect, the UIS222 can communicate with the proximity platform 214 to help determinewhat user demographic information to obtain.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can comprise ananalytics dashboard 224 for a targeted campaign service administrator tomanage and analyze data. The analytics dashboard 224 can be used tomanage and create campaigns. In an aspect, the analytics dashboard 224can comprise a behavioral analytics dashboard. The behavioral analyticsdashboard can be used to visualize activity of end users and measuregoals of the campaign directed toward the end users. Administrators cancreate a budget for a campaign and measure the efficacy of a campaignagainst those goals. End users can be segmented into control and exposedgroups to determine and measure efficacy. In an aspect the behavioralanalytics dashboard can be used to manage content and mobileapplications as well as usage of the content and mobile applications.The analytics dashboard 224 can also comprise a Wi-Fi and locationanalytics dashboard. The Wi-Fi and location analytics dashboard can beused to provide analytics for Wi-Fi network performance and usage, foottraffic analytics, number of users, number of service provider users,heat maps of locations of users, websites visited, length of time at alocation and/or interacting with a campaign, repeat visitors to a venue,combinations thereof and the like. The analytics dashboard 224 can alsocomprise analytics to analyze multicast video consumption and socialnetworking usage of the end users. In an aspect, the analytics dashboard224 can be configured to export user identifiers for given events, asdefined by the event scheduler 218, from the analytics dashboard 224manually or via an application program interface for integration withthird party tools for analysis and customer relation management (CRM).

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can comprise aninterface to a third party data feed 226. In an aspect, the third partydata feed 226 can comprise data of end users from third party sourcessuch as data enrichment clearinghouses (e.g., credit reportingagencies). The third party data feed 226 can provide data of users ofthe targeted communication service 122 to better customize the user'sexperience. In an aspect, the third party data feed 226 can comprisethird party services integrated with the targeted communication service122. The campaigns of the targeted communication service 122 can invokea third party ad engine, a ticketing platform, a game engine, a campaignmeasurement platform, combinations thereof, and the like.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can comprise acampaign management system (CMS) and a content delivery network (CDN)service 228. The CMS can allow for management of content provided incampaigns such as publishing content, editing content, modifyingcontent, organizing content, deleting content, combinations thereof andthe like. The CDN can comprise a system of servers deployed at multipledata centers to serve content to end users with high availability andhigh performance. The campaign manager 216 can interact with the CMS andthe CDN services 228 to control which content is consumed by an end useror group of end users. In an aspect, the CMS and the CDN services 228can be set as to how often an end user sees the same campaign or assetwithin a campaign (e.g., content or offer) within a time period or basedon past viewing. For example, if a user of mobile application 208receives an offer for a vendor at a location when the user detects a lowenergy beacon at a first time, then at a second time when the userdetects the same low energy beacon the user can receive a differentcampaign. In an aspect, the CMS and the CDN services 228 can bethrottled so that a user device does not receive a campaign every timethe user device encounters a premises device. In an aspect, the CMS andthe CDN services 228 can prioritize campaigns over one another based onfactors such as type of campaign (e.g., ticketing over advertising),revenue for campaign, prior user history, and the like.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can comprise videomulticasting 230. The video multicasting 230 can be used to send videoto multiple users using the same bitstream which conserves networkresources by reducing a number of unicast bitstreams to multiple usersconsuming the same content. The video multicasting 230 can be scalablein that the video multicasting 230 comprises a scalable video coding(SVC) technique. A SVC can encode a video multicast into one base layerand one or more enhancement layers. The base layer can ensure the basicvideo quality of all users and each additional enhancement layerenhances the quality of the video depending on the capabilities of theend user device. Video multicast consumption can be managed and analyzedby the various dashboards such as the behavioral analytics dashboard. Inan aspect, multicasting can permit content to be received and cacheduntil a condition occurs. In an aspect, the content can be associatedwith a location. The content can be stored for a period of time andremoved from storage after the period of time outside the location.

FIG. 3 illustrates various aspects of an exemplary system in which thepresent methods and systems can operate. The present disclosure relatesto a method for detecting user presence and absence and deliveringcampaigns based on the detected presence or absence. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that present methods may be used in systems thatemploy both digital and analog equipment. One skilled in the art willappreciate that provided herein is a functional description and that therespective functions can be performed by software, hardware, or acombination of software and hardware.

A system 300 can comprise a central location 301 (e.g., a headend),which can receive content (e.g., data, input programming, and the like)from multiple sources. The central location 301 can combine the contentfrom the various sources and can distribute the content to user (e.g.,subscriber) locations (e.g., location 319) via a network 316.

In an aspect, the central location 301 can receive content from avariety of sources 302 a, 302 b, and 302 c. The content can betransmitted from the source to the central location 301 via a variety oftransmission paths, including wireless (e.g. satellite paths 303 a, 303b) and terrestrial path 304. The central location 301 can also receivecontent from a direct feed source 306 via a direct line 305. Other inputsources can comprise capture devices such as a video camera 309 or acontent server 310. The signals provided by the content sources caninclude a single content item or a multiplex that includes severalcontent items.

The central location 301 can comprise one or a plurality of receivers311 a, 311 b, 311 c, 311 d that are each associated with an inputsource. For example, MPEG encoders, such as encoder 312, are includedfor encoding local content or a video camera 309 feed. A switch 313 canprovide access to the content server 310, which can be a Pay-Per-Viewserver, a data server, an internet router, a network system, a phonesystem, a Video On-Demand (VOD) server, a content server, and the like.Some signals may require additional processing, such as signalmultiplexing, prior to being modulated. Such multiplexing can beperformed by multiplexer (mux) 314.

The central location 301 can comprise one or a plurality of modulators315 for interfacing to a network 316. The modulators 315 can convert thereceived content into a modulated output signal suitable fortransmission over a network 316. The output signals from the modulators315 can be combined, using equipment such as a combiner 317, for inputinto the network 316. In an aspect, the network 316 can comprise acontent delivery network, a content access network, and/or the like. Forexample, the network 316 can be configured to provide content from avariety of sources using a variety of network paths, protocols, devices,and/or the like. The content delivery network and/or content accessnetwork can be managed (e.g., deployed, serviced) by a content provider,a service provider, and/or the like.

A control system 318 can permit a system operator to control and monitorthe functions and performance of system 300. The control system 318 caninterface, monitor, and/or control a variety of functions, including,but not limited to, the channel lineup for the television system,billing for each user, conditional access for content distributed tousers, and the like. Control system 318 can provide input to themodulators for setting operating parameters, such as system specificMPEG table packet organization or conditional access information. Thecontrol system 318 can be located at central location 301 or at a remotelocation.

The network 316 can distribute signals from the central location 301 touser locations, such as a user location 319. The network 316 cancomprise an optical fiber network, a coaxial cable network, a hybridfiber-coaxial network, a wireless network, a satellite system, a directbroadcast system, an Ethernet network, a high-definition multimediainterface network, universal serial bus network, or any combinationthereof.

In an aspect, a multitude of users can be connected to the network 316at one or more of the user locations. At the user location 319, a mediadevice 320 can demodulate and/or decode, if needed, the signals fordisplay on a presentation device 321, such as on a television set (TV)or a computer monitor. For example, the media device 320 can comprise ademodulator, decoder, frequency tuner, and/or the like. The media device320 can be directly connected to the network (e.g., for communicationsvia in-band and/or out-of-band signals of a content delivery network)and/or connected to the network 316 via a communication terminal 325(e.g., for communications via a packet switched network). The mediadevice 320 can comprise a set-top box, a digital streaming device, agaming device, a media storage device, a digital recording device, acombination thereof, and/or the like. The media device 320 can compriseone or more applications, such as content viewers, social mediaapplications, news applications, gaming applications, content stores,electronic program guides, and/or the like. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that the signal can be demodulated and/or decoded in avariety of equipment, including the communication terminal 325, acomputer, a TV, a monitor, or satellite dish.

In an aspect, the communication terminal 325 can be located at the userlocation 319. The communication terminal 325 can be configured tocommunicate with the network 316. The communications terminal 325 cancomprise a modem (e.g., cable modem), a router, a gateway, a switch, anetwork terminal (e.g., optical network unit), and/or the like. Thecommunications terminal 325 can be configured for communication with thenetwork 316 via a variety of protocols, such as internet protocol,transmission control protocol, file transfer protocol, sessioninitiation protocol, voice over internet protocol, and/or the like. Forexample, for a cable network, the communication terminal 325 can beconfigured to provide network access via a variety of communicationprotocols and standards, such as Data Over Cable Service InterfaceSpecification.

In an aspect, the user location 319 is not fixed. By way of example, auser can receive content from the network 316 on a user device 324. Themobile device 124 can comprise a laptop computer, a tablet device, acomputer station, a personal data assistant (PDA), a smart device (e.g.,smart phone, smart apparel, smart watch, smart glasses), GPS, a vehicleentertainment system, a portable media player, a combination thereof,and/or the like.

In an aspect, the user device 324 can be located at or near the userlocation. The user device can comprise a user device identifier. Theuser device can also comprise one or more wireless communicationelements. The one or more wireless communication elements can eachimplement a wireless communication protocol. For example, a firstwireless communication element can be configured with a low energycommunication protocol such as BLE. As an example, a second wirelesscommunication element can be configured with a Wi-Fi protocol. Eachwireless communication element can comprise an identifier that can be auser device identifier. As an example, the user device 324 can be anInternet Protocol compatible device for receiving signals via thenetwork 316 such as the Internet or some other communications networkfor providing content to the user.

In an aspect, the location 319 can comprise a premises device 206. Forexample the location can have one or more wireless access points 232,one or more low energy beacons 234, and other proximity modules 236.Each premises device 206 can comprise a premises device identifier. Inan aspect, the premises device 206 can be associated with one or moremedia devices 320. For example, a wireless access point for the location319 can be associated with each media device for each presentationdevice 321 at the location 319. As another example, a low energy beaconcan be associated with the media device 320. The low energy beacon 234can be near the media device 320 such that the low energy beacon 234represents the media deice 320 and/or the presentation device 321 whenanother device communicates with the low energy beacon 234. The premisesdevice 206 and the media device 320 can be associated by premises deviceidentifiers mapped with media device identifiers. The mappings of thepremises device identifiers and the media device identifiers can bestored locally at storage in the media device 320 and/or premises device206. In an aspect, the mappings of the premises device identifiers andthe media device identifiers can be stored in database such as the datawarehouse 220 of FIG. 2.

In an aspect, the premises device 206 and/or the user device 324 can bein communication with a proximity platform 214 of a targetedcommunication service 122 through the network 316. In an aspect, thepremises device 206 and/or the user device 324 can communicate with eachother when the user device 324 is within range of the premises device206. The premises device 206 and/or the user device 324 can transmit tothe proximity platform 214 when one of the premises device 206 and theuser device 324 detects the other. As an example, the user device 324can enter the location 319 and connect with a premises device 206 suchas a wireless access point. An indication comprising the user deviceidentifier and a wireless access point identifier can be sent to theproximity platform 214. The proximity platform 214 can map the userdevice identifier to the wireless access point identifier. In an aspect,the proximity platform 214 can also receive a mapping of the wirelessaccess point identifiers with the media device identifiers that are atthe location 319. The proximity platform 214 can obtain the mappingthrough the network 316, a database, combinations thereof and the like.The proximity platform 214 can use the mapping of the user identifierwith the wireless access point identifier and the mapping of thewireless access point identifier and the media device identifier toassociate the user identifier to the media device identifier. Theproximity platform 214 can dynamically associate the user identifier tothe media device identifier based on the association and dissociation ofthe user device 324 to the wireless access point 205.

In an aspect, the user device 324 can be configured as a central devicemonitoring for communications from the premises devices 206, such as lowenergy beacons configured as peripheral devices. Although the followingdescribes the user device 324 as the central device and the low energybeacon as the peripheral device, in other aspects the user device 324can be the premises device 206 and the low energy beacon can be thecentral device. In an aspect, the user device 324 can detect a lowenergy beacon transmission which can comprise a beacon identifier. Inresponse to detecting the low energy beacon transmission comprising thebeacon identifier, the user device 324 can send an indication to theproximity platform 214 over network 316 The indication can comprise theuser identifier of the user device 324 and the beacon identifier. Theproximity platform 214 can map the user identifier to the beaconidentifier. In an aspect, the proximity platform 214 can also receive amapping of the beacon identifier with the media device identifier of themedia device 320 that is at the location 319. The proximity platform 214can obtain the mapping through the network 316, a database, combinationsthereof and the like. The proximity platform 214 can use the mapping ofthe user identifier with the beacon identifier and the mapping of thebeacon identifier and the media device identifier to associate the useridentifier to the media device identifier. The proximity platform 214can dynamically associate the user identifier to the media deviceidentifier based on the association and dissociation of the user device324 to the beacon identifier.

In an aspect, the media device 320 can comprise logic. The logic in themedia device 320 can monitor campaigns presented on the presentationdevice 321. In an aspect, the media device 320 can comprise the lowenergy beacon. The low energy beacon of the media device 320 can detectthe one or more user devices 324 present. The logic in the media device320 can create and/or access one or more profiles corresponding to oneor more user devices 324 based on the content presented on thepresentation device 321 when the one or more user devices 324 isdetermined to be present. In another aspect, the one or more profilescan reside on a campaign management system (CMS) 322. In an aspect theCMS 322 can be an advertisement decisioning system that can determinewhich advertisements to present at the presentation device 321 throughthe media device 320. In another aspect, the profiles can reside in adatabase such as the data warehouse 220 of FIG. 2, which can be accessedand analyzed by a user information system 222. The logic in the mediadevice 320 can be in communication with the CMS 322 and can delivertargeted campaigns such as advertising to the media device 320 based onthe one or more profiles associated with the one or more user devices324 determined to be near the media device 320.

In an aspect, a media device 320 can receive signals from the network316 for consuming content on the media device 320. As an example,consuming content can comprise providing audio and/or video, displayingimages, facilitating audio or visual feedback, tactile feedback, and thelike. However, other content can be consumed via the media device 320.In an aspect, the media device 320 can be a set-top box, a television, acomputer, a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet, a multimedia playbackdevice, a portable electronic device, and the like. As an example, themedia device 320 can be an Internet Protocol compatible device forreceiving signals via the network 316 such as the Internet or some othercommunications network for providing content to the user. It isunderstood that other presentation devices 321 and networks can be used.It is further understood that the media device 320 can be a widget or avirtual device for displaying content in a picture-in-pictureenvironment such as on the presentation device 321, for example.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the system 300. In an aspect, auser having a user device 324 can enter a location such as location 319.In an aspect, at the location 319, a peripheral device can transmit aperipheral identifier and a central device can monitor for transmittedperipheral identifiers. In an aspect, the central device can comprise acentral identifier. In an aspect, the user device 324 can be the centraldevice, peripheral device, or both. In an aspect, where the user device324 is the peripheral device, a premises device 206 can be a centraldevice. In an aspect, the premises device 206 can comprise a wirelessaccess point 232. In an aspect, the premises 206 device can comprise alow energy beacon 234 and/or the proximity module 236 of FIG. 2. In anaspect, the central devices such as the wireless access point 232, thelow energy beacon 234, and/or the proximity module 236 can monitor for auser or a transmission of a peripheral identifier of the user device324. In an aspect, the peripheral identifier can be the user deviceidentifier. A premises device identifier associated with the premisesdevice 206 can be the central identifier.

In various aspects, the user device 324 can be configured as the centraldevice and the premises device 206, such as the low energy beacon 234,can be configured as the peripheral device. In various aspects, the userdevice 324 can monitor for transmissions of peripheral identifiers(e.g., beacon identifiers) from one or more low energy beacons 234. Inan aspect, the user device 324 can monitor for one or more premisesdevice identifiers. An application on the user device 324 cancommunicate to an operating system of the user device 324 to monitor forthe one or more peripheral identifiers. In an aspect, the user device324 can comprise a user device identifier which can be the centralidentifier.

In an aspect, the user device 324 can be configured as the centraldevice and the peripheral device. For example, the wireless access point232 can be configured as a central device and the user device 324 can beconfigured as the peripheral device. The wireless access point 232 candetect the peripheral identifier (e.g., user device identifier) of theuser device 324. The wireless access point can comprise a premisesdevice identifier that can be the central identifier. The wirelessaccess point 232 can be in communication with a network controller 402(e.g., network device 116 of FIG. 1) which can be in communication withthe proximity platform 214 over network 316. As a further example, theuser device 324 can also be configured as the central device and one ormore low energy beacons 234 can be configured as peripheral devices.Each of the one or more low energy beacons 234 can transmit a peripheralidentifier (e.g., beacon identifiers). The user device 324 can monitorfor the peripheral identifier. The user device 324 can be incommunication with the proximity platform 214 over the network 316.

In an aspect, the proximity platform 214 can receive an indication ofdetection between the user device 324 and the premises device 206. Whichof the user device 324 and the premises device 206 that detects theother can depend on which of the user device 324 and the premises device206 is the central device and the peripheral device. The detection canoccur when the user device 324 is within communication range of thepremises device 206 so as to detect a transmission of an identifier or acommunication session is established between the premises device 206 andthe user device 324. In an aspect, the proximity platform 214 canreceive the indication from the central device which can be incommunication with the proximity platform 214 via network 316. Theindication can comprise the user device identifier and the premisesdevice identifier. The proximity platform 214 can associate the userdevice identifier to the premises device identifier. Associating theuser device identifier to the premises device identifier can indicatethat the user of the user device 324 is in proximity to the premisesdevice 206. The proximity platform 214 can monitor for associations anddissociations between one or more user devices 324 and premises devices206 and store the associations and dissociations in a database such asthe data warehouse 220.

In an aspect, the proximity platform 214 can receive a mapping of themedia device 320 to one or more premises device 206. In an aspect, themedia device identifier can be mapped to one or more premises deviceidentifiers. The proximity platform 214 can receive the mapping from arequest for proximity data which can be derived from a content requestat the media device 320. In an aspect, the premises device 206 and themedia device 320 can be mapped when installed and the mapping betweenthe premises device 206 and the media device 320 can be stored in thedata warehouse until the proximity platform 214 requests the mapping. Inan aspect, upon receiving the association of the user device identifierto the premises device identifier, the proximity platform 214 canassociate the user device identifier to the media device identifier bycomparing and matching the premises device identifier mapped with theuser device identifier to the premises device identifier mapped with themedia device identifier. Correlating the user device identifier to themedia device identifier can be performed when the proximity platform 214receives the indication comprising the user device identifier or when arequest is made to the proximity platform 214 to identify a user of themedia device 320.

In an aspect, the proximity platform can receive a request to identify auser of the media device 320 when the media device 320 detects a contentrequest. A user of the media device 320 can request content to bedisplayed on the presentation device 321. The media device 320 can senda request via the network 316 to receive the content that was requestedby the user of the media device 320 from a content server 404. Thecontent server 404 can be configured as the content server 310 of FIG.3. In an aspect, the content from the content server 404 can comprisecontent slots such as advertising slots. The content server 404,components of the central location 301, the media device 320, and thelike can request from the campaign management system 322 content thatcan fill the content slot or other campaigns that can be combined withthe content requested. In an aspect, the campaign management system 322can determine the campaign/content to fill the content slot based onuser demographic information. The campaign management system 322 canrequest demographic information from the user information system 222 ofthe user interacting with the media device 320 and ultimately consumingthe content presented at the presentation device 321.

In an aspect, the user information system 222 can access stored userdemographic information from the data warehouse 220 and/or third partydata feeds 226. In an aspect, users and user demographic information canbe associated with one or more user device identifiers of one or moreuser devices. To determine which user demographic information to accessand send to the campaign management system 322, the user informationsystem 222 can request to identify the user of the media device 320.Based on mappings of proximity between the user device 324 and one ormore premises device 206 and the mappings of the media device 320 andone or more premises device, the proximity platform can determine whichuser devices are in proximity to the media device 320. Proximityplatform 214 can also determine the user of the user device 324. Theproximity platform 214 can access stored associations of users to userdevices 324 from the data warehouse. The proximity platform 214 can sendthe user device identifier and identifications of users of the userdevice 324 which are also using the media device 320.

In an aspect, the proximity platform 214, upon receiving the request toidentify a user of the media device 320, can determine a confidencelevel that the user of a user device 324 that is detected to be inproximity to the media device 320 is the actual user of the media device320. In an aspect, the confidence level can comprise an identityconfidence level of a particular user of the user device 324. Theidentity confidence level is a measure of the likelihood that aparticular user is the current user of the user device 324. In anaspect, the confidence level can comprise a proximity confidence level.The proximity confidence level is a measure of how close the currentuser of the user device 324 is to a media device 320 and/or a premisesdevice 206 and a likelihood that the current user is in that range. Theconfidence level can comprise both the identity confidence level and theproximity confidence level. Based on the confidence level, the campaignmanagement system 322 and/or user information system 222 can selectwhich campaign is most appropriate to fill the slots of the requestedcontent. The confidence level can be based on one or more factors. In anaspect, a factor can be the number of user devices that are mapped withone or more premises devices associated with a media device 320. Forexample, if there is one user device associated with media device 320,then there is a high probability that a user associated with the userdevice is the user interacting with the media device 320. For example,if the only user device belonging to “Mom” is detected and one of theTVs is active, then there is a high confidence level that “Mom” and herassociated demographic segment is watching the presentation device 321.In some aspects, the more user devices associated with the media device320 the confidence level is lower. However, in other aspects, more userdevices do not alter the confidence level but instead alters theaggregate demographic because the proximity platform 214 assumes acomposite of users.

In an aspect, a factor for determining a confidence level may be thetype of premises device that is mapped with a user device 324 and mediadevice 320. For example, a wireless access point comprising a WiFicommunication protocol can have a greater range of coverage than a lowenergy beacon comprising a BLE communication protocol. Therefore, thewireless access point may be able to connect to a user device of a userwhen the user device enters the location 319 and stay connected to theuser device while the user is within the location 319. However, becausea low energy beacon 234 has a shorter range of coverage the low energybeacon can provide more granularity as to which user device is near themedia device 320.

Furthermore, using a low energy protocol can be used to establishdistance ranges of where a user device is located in comparison to thelow energy beacon. For example, the ranges can be intermediate, near,and far. The distance for intermediate can be within a few centimeters,(1 cm, 2 cm, 10 cm, 100 cm, and the like) however other distances can bewithin the intermediate range. The distance for near can be a distanceof a few meters between the low energy device and user device (e.g., 1m, 2 m, 5 m, 10 m, and the like). However, other distances arecontemplated to fall in the near range. The distance for far can begreater than 10 m (e.g., 10 m, 15 m, 20 m, 70 m, 50 m, 100 m, 450 m, andthe like). However, other distances and ranges are contemplated todefine the far range.

Wireless access points using protocols such as WiFi can also be used todetermine the approximate distance from the wireless access point to theuser device. Like low energy beacons, signal strength can be used todetermine distance. A user device can detect a received signal strengthindication (RSSI) of the power of received radio signals from thepremises device 206 such as a wireless access point 232 or low energybeacon 234. In an aspect, the premises device 206 can detect an RSSI ofthe of the user device. RSSI can vary significantly based oninterference from other radio waves, weather, obstructions at thelocation, and the like. Therefore, the RSSI levels at a location 319 canbe mapped to the location 319 to help better define the distance of theuser device to the premises device 206. In an aspect, approximateposition of a user device can be determined based on more than onepremises device RSSI measurement. The greater number of RSSImeasurements from varying premises devices can be used to betterapproximate the actual position of the user device. For example, havingthree distances derived from the RSSIs of three premises devices cantriangulate a location of the user device. In an aspect, inaudible tonescan also be transmitted with the signal for ultrasonic confirmation ofpresence of a user device in a given location 319. Because ultrasounddoes not readily penetrate objects such as walls as RF signals do,ultrasound can be used to determine a presence within a room. In anaspect, audible sounds through automatic content recognition can also beused to determine distance.

In an aspect, a factor used to determine a confidence level by theproximity platform 214 that a user is interacting with the media device320 can be a continued presence. In an aspect, more than one indicationcan be received by the proximity platform 214 of mappings between a userdevice identifier and a premises device identifier. An indication can bereceived from a first user device and an indication can be received froma second user device when the first user device and the second userdevice are configured as central devices. In an aspect, the indicationscan comprise RSSI values to the proximity platform 214. If the RSSIvalues are changing, the changing RSSI values could indicate that thefirst user device is moving around the location 319. Therefore, the userassociated with the first user device having the changing RSSI values islikely not the user interacting with the media device 320 and requestingcontent.

In an aspect, the indication can comprise associations and dissociationsbetween the premises device and the user devices to determine whetherthere is a continued presence. The proximity platform 214 can receive anindication from the user device 324 comprising the communication betweenthe user device 324 and the premises device 206. The indication cancomprise a time when the detection between the premises device 206 andthe user device 324 occurred. The user device 324 can also send theproximity platform 214 an indication when the user device 324 is nolonger detecting the premises device 206 or vice versa. The indicationcan comprise a time stamp when the user device 324 no longer detects thepremises device 206 or the proximity platform 214 can log a time whenthe proximity platform 214 received the indication of the dissociation.In an aspect, the proximity platform 214 can comprise logic that can loga continued presence based on a threshold time period where theproximity platform 214 does not receive a dissociation indication. Ifthe proximity platform 214 does not detect a dissociation indicationfrom the user device 324 within the threshold time period the proximityplatform 214 can log that the user device 324 has had a continuedpresence at the location of the premises device 206. If the there is adissociation indication within the time threshold the proximity platform214 can log the dissociation indication in the data warehouse 220without a continued presence. In an aspect, the proximity platform 214can retroactively determine whether there was a continued presence by auser based on a time threshold the time between an associationindication and a dissociation indication. In an aspect, continuedpresences can be determined based on other methods for detecting apresence. In an aspect, continued presence can be determined based on acombination of presence detection methods such as RSSI andassociation/dissociation logs. In an aspect, if the user device 324 hasa continued presence that exceeds a certain time threshold, theconfidence level can be lowered. For example, too long of a continuedpresence can indicate that the user device 324 is merely charging orleft somewhere for later use by the user.

In an aspect, a factor used to determine a confidence level can be thetype of user device 324 that is being detected. For example, if the userdevice 324 is a smart phone there is a higher confidence level that whenthe smart phone is detected that the owner of the smart phone is theuser in proximity to the premises device. This is because smart phonesare mostly used by one person. If the user device detected is a tablet,the proximity platform 214 can have a lower confidence level that aparticular user is using the media device 320 because a tablet can be acommunal user device between many people in a household. In anotherexample, the confidence level can be based on whether the user device324 detected is a wearable device versus just a mobile user device. Theproximity platform 214 can assume that a wearable device is morepersonal and therefore there is a higher confidence that the wearabledevice is attached to the user.

In another aspect, if there are two or more user devices associated witha single user, and two or more of those user devices have currentpresence in a different, non-overlapping location, then the confidencelevel of both may be lowered, especially if the user devices are of thesame type (for example, two tablets rather than a smart phone and atablet, in which case the smart phone may be given a higher confidencebecause a smart phone is more likely to be used by a single user thananother type of device). In an aspect, other factors to determine aconfidence level can be contemplated such as login information, time ofday, type of content requested, combinations thereof, and the like.

In an aspect, the proximity platform 214 can send any user deviceidentifier associated with the media device identifier as well as anyconfidence levels of any users associated with the user deviceidentifiers to the user information system 222. The user informationsystem 222 can retrieve user demographic information from the datawarehouse 220 based on the user device identifier and the confidencelevel of the identified user. In an aspect, the user information system222 can send the CMS 322 the user demographic information of the useridentified as the user interacting with the media device 320. In anaspect, the user information system 222 can provide the CMS 322 with theuser demographic information of the user in which the proximity platform214 has the most confidence is interacting with the media device 320. Inan aspect, the user information system 222 can provide the CMS 322 withthe user demographic information of a predefined number users having thehighest confidence levels. For example, the user demographic informationof the users having the top three confidence levels can be sent to theCMS 322. In an aspect, the user information system 222 can be configuredto send user demographic information of the users meeting a thresholdconfidence level. For example, user demographic information of usershaving a confidence level of 50% or higher can be sent to the CMS 322.In another example, user demographic information of users having aconfidence level of 75% or higher can be sent to the CMS 322.

In an aspect, the CMS 322 can determine, based on the user demographicinformation, which campaigns to present with the content requested bythe media device 320. The CMS 322 can send to the content server 404 aplaylist of campaigns (e.g., content, advertisements, and the like) toinsert into the content requested. The content server 404 can thenselect campaigns to incorporate into the requested content from theplaylist of campaigns. The content server 404 can then send the contentrequested and the inserted campaigns to the media device 320. In anaspect, the CMS 322 can select campaigns for the playlist based onbusiness rules. For example, the CMS 322 can select campaigns based onwhich campaigns for the particular user will generate the most revenue.As another example, the CMS 322 can select campaigns based on whichcampaigns have been consumed by the user of the media device 320 so thatcampaigns are not overly repetitive. As another example, the language ofthe campaign can be tailored to the user/users proximate to thepresentation device 321. As another example of the business rule, acampaign can be selected to be inserted into the requested content basedon previous purchase history or interest. In an aspect, the contentserver 404 can select the campaigns to be inserted based on the businessrules.

In an aspect, the CMS 322 can report to a billing system which campaignshave been consumed by the user and the confidence level that aparticular user viewed the campaign. The billing system can determine acharge to a provider of the campaign based on the similarity of userdemographics of the user consuming the campaign to user demographics ofusers the provider has identified as targeted consumers and theconfidence level that the user consuming the campaign is the userassociated with the user demographics. The more similarity and/or higherconfidence level can result in the charge being higher.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example system at the location 319 comprisingdevices and methods described in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The location 319 inthe example can have a plurality of premises devices 206. The premisesdevices 206 can comprise a wireless access point (API) 232, a first lowenergy beacon (B1) 234 a, and a second low energy beacon (B2) 234 b. Thelocation 319 can also comprise a first media device (MD1) 320 a and asecond media device (MD2) 320 b. The location 319 can also comprise afirst user with a first user device (U1) 324 a, a second user with asecond user device (U2) 324 b, and a third user with a third user device(U3) 324 c. In an aspect, the AP1 232 can have a signal range 532 andcan comprise an access point identifier that is associated with a firstmedia device identifier of MD1 320 a and a second media deviceidentifier of MD2 320 b. A first beacon identifier transmitted by B1 234a can be associated with the first media device identifier and can havea signal range 534 a. A second beacon identifier transmitted by B2 234 bcan be associated with the second media device identifier and can have asignal range 534 b.

FIG. 5 illustrates the location 319 at a point in time. If U1 324 a, U2324 b, and U3 324 c enter the location 319 or are activated within thelocation 319 and U1 324 a, U2 324 b, and U3 324 c are authorized toestablish a connection with the AP1 232, an association can be madebetween each user device and the AP1 232. An indication can be sent foreach association made between the user devices U1 324 a, U2 324 b, andU3 324 c and the AP1 232 to the proximity platform 214. Furthermore, atthe point in time U1 324 a can be within the signal range 534 a of B1234 a. Also, U2 324 b can be within the signal range 534 b of B2 234 b.An indication can be sent to the proximity platform 214 that there is adetection between B1 234 a and U1 324 a. An indication can be sent tothe proximity platform 214 that there is a detection between B2 234 band U2 324 a. The indication can comprise user device identifiers U1 324a and U2 324 b as well as the associated beacon identifiers of B1 234 aand B2 234 b. The proximity platform 214 can determine one or more usersassociated with each user device identifier. The proximity platform 214can map user device identifiers to the media device identifier of MD1320 a and media device identifier of MD2 320 b through shared premisesdevice identifiers.

As an example, a user of U1 324 a can request content at MD1 320 a. Theproximity platform 214 can receive a request for a user of MD1 320 a.The proximity platform 214 can determine possible users of MD1 320 a bysearching the mappings of user identifiers to the media deviceidentifier of MD1 320 a. The proximity platform 214 can determine thatU1 324 a, U2 324 b, and U3 324 c are associated with MD1 320 a throughaccess point 232 and that U1 324 a is associated to MD1 320 a through B1234 a. Therefore, because U1 324 a is associated with the MD1 320 athrough both the AP1 232 and B1 234 a, the proximity platform 214 canassign a higher confidence level to the identified user of the U1 324than a confidence level of the users of U2 324 b and U3 324 c. Theproximity platform 214 can send, in response to the request for contentat MD1 320 a, the user device identifier of U1 324 a, the identifieduser of the U1 324 a, and the confidence level that the user of U1 324 ais the user of the MD1 320 a.

FIG. 6 illustrates a system 600 where targeted campaigns can bepresented at presentation devices 210 without interaction by the userwith a media device 320 of FIG. 3. In an aspect, the location 319 can bea venue such as a sports arena, a stadium, a mall, a theme park, anoffice building, and the like that has a plurality of presentationdevices 210 placed or scattered throughout the location 319. In anaspect, the presentation device 210 can be digital signage whereadvertisements, other campaigns, or any information or content can bedisplayed. In an aspect, the presentation device 210 can be a standalonedisplay device and/or audio device or have a media device 320 incommunication with the presentation device 210. In an aspect, thepresentation device 210 can be associated with one or more premisesdevices 206. For example, the presentation device 210 can be associatedwith a low energy beacon 234 and/or a wireless access point 232. In anaspect, a premises device identifier (e.g., a beacon identifier, accesspoint identifier, and the like) can be associated with a presentationdevice identifier of the presentation device 210. Line 602 illustratesan association between the low energy beacon 234 and the presentationdevice 210. Line 604 illustrates an association between the wirelessaccess point 232 and the presentation device 210.

In an aspect, a user of a user device 324 can enter the location 319 andassociate with the nearest wireless access point 232. The associationcan be logged with the targeted communication service 122 and stored inthe data warehouse 220. The association can comprise the time theassociation was made and a user device identifier of the user device 324and an access point identifier of the wireless access point 232.

In an aspect, the user can authenticate the user device 324 by logginginto the service provider of the wireless access point 232. Theauthentication can include user credentials that can identify a user ofthe user device 324. An authentication event can be logged with thetargeted communication service 122 including the user credentials. In anaspect, based on the user credentials, the targeted communicationservice 122 can access user demographic information. In an aspect, theremay not be an authentication by the user of the user device 324 and thetargeted communication service 122 can identify a user based on knownusers of the user device 324 that is associated with the wireless accesspoint 232. As the user roams within the location 319, the user cantransition from the wireless access point 232 to other access points.The targeted communication service 122 can log the associations anddissociations from various wireless access points at the location 319.In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can determine acampaign to present to the presentation device 210 based on one or moreuser devices communicating with the wireless access point 232 that isassociated with the presentation device 210 for a given time period. Thetime period can be the length of the campaign being presented on thepresentation device 210. The proximity platform 214 can determine whichusers and user devices 324 are in proximity to the presentation device210 for the user information system 222 to determine user demographicinformation. The targeted communication service 122 can comprise acampaign management system that can determine which campaigns to presentat the various presentation devices 210. The campaigns can beincorporated with other content from a content server or can bepresented separately.

In an aspect, the location 319 can comprise one or more low energybeacons 234. The one or more low energy beacons 234 can provide a finergranularity of proximity detection of user devices 324 because of theshorter range of the low energy beacon signal. In an aspect, the one ormore low energy beacons 234 can comprise a beacon identifier. In anaspect, the beacon identifier can be mapped to a presentation deviceidentifier. In an aspect, the one or more low energy beacons 234 cantransmit a beacon identifier. In an aspect, the user device 324 cancomprise an application that is configured to have an operating systemof the user device 324 monitor for one or more beacon identifiers. In anaspect, if the beacon identifier of the low energy beacon 234 is abeacon identifier for which the user device 324 is monitoring, then theuser device 324 can detect the low energy beacon 234. The user device324 can send an indication to the targeted communication service 122,comprising the user device identifier and the beacon identifier, that anassociation between the user device 324 and the low energy beacon 234was made. The user device 324 can continue to monitor for the beaconidentifier at various time intervals (e.g., 0.1 seconds, 1 second, 5seconds, 10 seconds, 1 minute, and the like). When the user device 324no longer detects the beacon identifier, then the user device 324 cancommunicate to the targeted communication service 122 that the userdevice 324 is dissociated with the low energy beacon 234. In an aspect,the user device 324 can communicate to the targeted communicationservice 122 through the wireless access point 232. In an aspect, theuser device 324 can communicate to the targeted communication service122 through a cellular data network.

In an aspect, based on the mapping between the beacon identifier and theuser device identifier and the mapping of the beacon identifier and thepresentation device identifier, the proximity platform 214 of thetargeted communication service 122 can map the user device identifier tothe presentation device identifier where the beacon identifiers are thesame. In an aspect, the proximity platform 214 can determine a user ofthe user device 324 and a confidence level that the user is in viewingrange of the presentation device 210 based on mapping of the user deviceidentifier to the presentation device identifier. In an aspect, thetargeted communication service 122 can determine user demographicinformation of the users that are associated with the presentationdevice 210. The targeted communication service 122 can determine acampaign to present at presentation device 210 based on the userdemographic information of the user device 324 or aggregated userdemographic information of other user devices associated with thepresentation device 210.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can receive aplurality of indications where each indication results from a detectionof a user device 324 to a premises device such as the wireless accesspoint 232 and low energy beacon 234. The indication can comprise a userdevice identifier of the user device 324 and a premises deviceidentifier of the premises device. In an aspect, the indication cancomprise any user identifiers of a user using the user device 324 suchas authentication data. In an aspect, the targeted communication service122 can store a mapping of a presentation device identifier of apresentation device 210 that is associated with the premises deviceidentifier of the premises device. In an aspect, the targetedcommunication service 122 can map a user device identifier to thepresentation device identifier based on equivalent premises deviceidentifiers. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 candetermine a confidence level for each user of the plurality of userdevices is within a presentation area of the presentation device 210associated with the premises device (e.g., the wireless access point 232and/or the low energy beacon 234). In an aspect, the confidence levelcan comprise position information of the plurality of user devices inrelation to the presentation device 210. In an aspect, the targetedcommunication service 122 can determine a first campaign to provide tothe presentation device 210. Determining the first campaign can be basedon the confidence levels for each of the user devices associated withthe presentation device 210 and the user demographic information. In anaspect, the first campaign can be transmitted to the presentation device210. The first campaign can be consumed at the presentation device 210.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can determine acontinued presence of one or more user devices of the plurality of userdevices 324 determined to be proximate to the presentation device 210when the first campaign was determined. The continued presence can bedetermined based on the log of associations and dissociations of userdevices 324. In an aspect, continued presence can also be determined bygarnering additional information from or about a user device. Forexample, a user device 324 can provide information regarding itsorientation and altitude. When these measurements change, the proximityplatform 214 can assume that the user device 324 is moving, howeverslightly, thus indicating that a user is interacting with the userdevice 324, and that the user device 324 has not been left somewhere.Separately, a WiFi connected device is likely to have changing RSSIlevels as the user device 324 moves closer to or further from a wirelessaccess point. The RSSI levels can be transmitted by the WiFiinfrastructure to the proximity platform, giving more information than abinary indication of a user's continued presence.

In an aspect, the user device 324, the low energy beacon 234, and/or thewireless access point 232 can send an indication to the targetedcommunication service 122 when there is no longer a detection betweenthe user device 324 and the low energy beacon 234 and/or the wirelessaccess point 232. The indication of dissociation can comprise the userdevice identifier and the premises device identifier. The targetedcommunication service 122 can log the dissociations in the datawarehouse 220. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 candetermine whether a user device has maintained a continued presence byquerying the data warehouse 220 to determine which user devices 324 havebeen associated with the presentation device 210 continuously for a timeperiod. The targeted communication service 122 can then determine asecond campaign to transmit to the presentation device 210 to bepresented. The second campaign can be determined based on the useridentifier of one or more user devices that have been determined to havea continued presence and based on the confidence levels for each of theusers of the user devices 324. The targeted communication service 122can then transmit the second campaign to the presentation device 210 forthe presentation device 210 to present.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate an example system 700 at a location 319.FIG. 7 illustrates the system 700 at a first time according to variousaspects. The system 700 can comprise a presentation device 210 that isassociated with a premises device such as the premises device 206 ofFIG. 2. The premises device can be a wireless access point (AP) 232and/or a first low energy beacon (B1) 234 a. A line 604 and a line 602represent associations between the presentation device 210 and the AP232 or the B1 234 a, respectively. In an aspect, the AP 232 can be incommunication with the targeted communication service 122 over anetwork. In an aspect, the system 700 can comprise other premisesdevices such as a second low energy beacon (B2) 234 b. The location 319can comprise a plurality of user devices 324 (U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, andU6) in communication with the system 700. As an example, at the firsttime, U1 can detect a transmitted beacon identifier of B1 234 a. U1 cansend an indication through a cellular data network that U1 has detectedB1 234 a. The indication can comprise the beacon identifier of B1 234 aand the user device identifier of U1. As a further example, U2 and U3can be detected by AP 232 and U2 and U3 can detect a beacon identifierof B1 234 a. The AP 232 can send an indication for each detection to thetargeted communication service 122 comprising the user deviceidentifiers of U2 and U3 as well as the access point identifier of AP232. U2 and U3 can each send an indication to the targeted communicationservice 122 comprising the beacon identifier of B1 234 a and the userdevice identifier respectively. An indication can be sent to thetargeted communication service 122 for the detection between U4 and AP232, U5 and AP 232, U4 and B2 234 b, and U6 and B2 234 b.

The targeted communication service 122 can determine a confidence levelfor each user device 324 as to the proximity of the user devices 324 tothe presentation device 210 and/or each user of the user device 324.U1-U5 can be mapped to the presentation device 210 due to commonpremises devices (e.g., AP 232 and B1 234 a). Because U6 is not mappedto presentation device 210, a confidence level is not determined. Theconfidence level is not determined because there is a very lowlikelihood that a particular user of U6 will consume the campaign at thepresentation device 210. The targeted communication service 122 maydetermine the confidence levels from highest to lowest of U1-U5 as U2and U3 having the highest confidence level because of their associationto two premises devices that are mapped to the presentation device 210.U1 can have the next highest confidence level because it is associatedwith B1 which has a shorter communication range which can indicate thatthe user of U1 is close to the presentation device 210. However, thetargeted communication service 122 may not know with complete certaintythe user of U1 because the user has not authenticated the user's selfthrough the AP 232. As another example, U1 can be a tablet rather than amobile phone which is more likely to be a communal device for a familyresulting in a possibility of more than one user. U5 can have the nexthighest confidence level because U5 is only associated with AP 232.Since AP 232 can have a greater signal range than B1, U5 can be furtheraway so there is less certainty U5 is within viewing range of thepresentation device 210. U4 can have the lowest confidence level. Eventhough U4 has an association with AP 232, U4 also has an associationwith B2 234 b which is not mapped to presentation device 210. B2 can befar away from presentation device 210. Therefore, the targetedcommunication service 122 can determine that it is unlikely for a userof U4 to be able to consume the campaign at presentation device 210.

Based on all of the confidence levels and identified users of U1-U5, thetargeted communication service 122 can determine a first campaign topresent at the presentation device 210. The targeted communicationservice 122 can determine the first campaign based on aggregated userdemographic data of U1-U5. As another example, the targetedcommunication service 122 can determine the first campaign based on userdemographic data of the users of user devices 324 that have a thresholdconfidence level. The targeted communication service 122 can transmitthe first campaign to the presentation device 210.

After a time period between the first time of FIG. 7 and a second timeof FIG. 8, the targeted communication service 122 can determine whetherthere is a continued presence of any of the user devices U1-U6 andpremises devices B1 234 a, B2 234 b, and AP 232. An indication can besent to the targeted communication service 122 for the detection betweenU5 and B1 234 a, U2 and AP 232, U2 and B1 234 a, U4 and AP 232, U4 andB1 234 a, U1 and AP 232, U1 and B2 234 b, U6 and AP 232, and U3 and B2234 b. Dissociations during the time period between the user devices 324U1-U6 and the premises devices can also be logged with the targetedcommunication service 122. Because U2 was the only user device 324 tonot dissociate with both AP 232 and B1 234 a during the time periodbetween the first time in FIG. 7 and the second time in FIG. 8, thetargeted communication service 122 can determine that U2 has a continuedpresence at or near the presentation device 210. The targetedcommunication service 122 can determine a second campaign to transmit tothe presentation device 210 for the presentation device 210 to presentbased on the user demographic information of the user of U2. In anotherexample, another user device 324 can have a continued presence atpresentation device 210 and the second campaign can be determined basedon the aggregated user demographic information of a user of U2 and usersof other user devices 324. After determining the second campaign, thetargeted communication service 122 can transmit the second campaign tothe presentation device 210 to be presented at the presentation device210 for the users to consume the campaign. In another aspect, the secondcampaign can be sent to U2 for the user of U2 to view on U2. A thirdcampaign and/or a different asset of the second campaign can be sent tothe presentation device 210 based on aggregated user demographicinformation.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example system 900 according to various aspects.In an aspect, the location 319 can comprise one or more wireless accesspoints 232, one or more low energy beacons 234, and optionally one ormore presentation devices 210. In an aspect, a detection can be madebetween a wireless access point 232 and a user device 324 of one or moreuser devices 324. An indication can be transmitted to and received bythe targeted communication service 122. The indication can comprise auser device identifier and a premises device identifier (e.g., beaconidentifier, access point identifier). The targeted communication service122 can utilize the premises device identifier to determine a campaignthat is associated with the premises device identifier. The targetedcampaign service can send the campaign to an optional presentationdevice 210 that is associated with the premises device identifier. In anaspect, the targeted communication service 122 can send the campaigndirectly to the user device 324 that has an association with thepremises device identifier. As an example, the low energy beacon 234 canbroadcast a beacon identifier. A user device 324 can monitor for beaconidentifiers including the beacon identifier of the low energy beacon234. The user device 324 can detect the beacon identifier and send anindication to the targeted communication service 122 that comprises thebeacon identifier and the user device identifier of the user device 324.The targeted communication service 122 can send a campaign to the userdevice 324. The campaign can be specific to the low energy beacon 234 orif there are several campaigns associated with the beacon identifier ofthe low energy beacon 234 then the targeted communication service 122can make a determination as to the identity of the user of the userdevice 324. The targeted communication service 122 can determine aconfidence level as to the identity of the user of the user device 324.The targeted communication service 122 can determine a campaign to sendto the user device 324 based on the confidence level. In an aspect, thecampaign can be determined based on a continued presence. In an aspect,the targeted campaign service can record which campaigns have beenpresented to the user device 324. If a campaign has been presented tothe user device 324 a number of times that exceeds a threshold for aperiod of time, then the targeted communication service 122 can stoptransmitting the campaign to the user device 324 until the time periodhas passed or the targeted communication service 122 can determine asecond campaign to transmit to the user device 324 instead of theoriginal campaign.

In an aspect, the campaign can be based on the access point identifierof the wireless access point 232. The wireless access point 232 can sendone or more indications to the targeted communication service 122comprising the user device identifier of all the user devices 324associated with the wireless access point 232 as well as the wirelessaccess point identifier. The targeted communication service 122 candetermine one or more campaigns that are associated with the accesspoint identifier. The targeted communication service 122 can transmitthe campaign to each user device 324 that is associated with thewireless access point 232. In an aspect, the targeted communicationservice 122 can comprise video multicasting 230 of FIG. 2. The targetedcommunication service 122 can transmit the multicast campaign to theuser devices 324. The multicast can comprise a base data layer with oneor more enhancement data layers that further enhance the base data layerthat provides minimum requirements to consume the campaign. Multicastingallows for a server to transmit as single data stream to multiplerecipients where the user device can then decode the data layersnecessary based on the user device's capabilities. Video multicastingcan reduce bandwidth consumption on the network. In an aspect,multicasting can permit content to be received and cached until acondition occurs to present the content for the campaign. In an aspect,the content can be associated with a location. The content can be storedfor a period of time on the user device 324 and removed from storageafter the period of time expires. In an aspect, the content can bestored while the user device 324 is associated with one or more of thewireless access points 232 and/or the low energy beacons 234 at thelocation 319. Once the user device 324 leaves the location 319 and is nolonger associated with any of the wireless access points 232 and/or thelow energy beacons 234 the stored content can be removed from thestorage of the user device 324

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a system 1000 according tovarious embodiments. In an aspect, the targeted communication service122 can be configured to provide a campaign to a user of a user device324 or a user near a presentation device 210 (not shown) based on morethan one campaign and/or more than one campaign provider. In an aspect,the user device 324 can monitor for one or more predetermined premisesdevice identifiers such as a beacon identifier. In an aspect, the userdevice 324, while traversing space, can detect a first predeterminedpremises device identifier from a first premises device 206 a. In anaspect, the user device 324 can transmit an indication of the detectionbetween the user device 324 and the first premises device 206 a to thetargeted communication service 122. The indication can be stored as anassociation of the user device 324 and the first premises device 206 a.The indication can comprise the user device identifier and the premisesdevice identifier. In an aspect, the association of the user device 324to the first premises device 206 a can comprise a time stamp, the userdevice identifier, and the premises device identifier. In an aspect, theuser device 324 can store the detection of the transmission of the firstpremises device identifier locally at the user device 324.

In an aspect, the user device 324 can traverse from the first location319 a to a second location 319 b. In an aspect, the user device 324 canmonitor for one or more predetermined premises device identifiers suchas a beacon identifier. In an aspect, the user device 324, whiletraversing from the first location 319 a to the second location 319 b,can detect a second predetermined premises device identifier from asecond premises device 206 b. In an aspect, the user device 324 cantransmit an indication of the detection between the user device 324 andthe second premises device 206 b to the targeted communication service122. The indication can be stored as an association of the user device324 and the second premises device 206 b. The indication can comprisethe user device identifier and the second predetermined premises deviceidentifier. In an aspect, upon receiving the second predeterminedpremises device identifier at the targeted communication service 122,the targeted communication service 122 can determine whether a campaignis associated with the second predetermined premises device identifier.If there is a campaign associated with the second predetermined premisesdevice identifier, then the targeted communication service 122 candetermine whether any conditions are required before activating thecampaign for the user device 324. In an aspect, a condition can be thedetection of the first predetermined premises device identifier at acertain time. The targeted communication service 122 can query theassociations stored within the data warehouse 220. In an aspect, upondetermining that the condition of the first predetermined premisesdevice identifier was detected by the user device 324, then the campaigncan be activated for the user device. The targeted communication service122 can send the campaign to the user device 324 for the user of theuser device 324 to consume.

An example of this aspect can be a cross platform campaign where oneentity is associated with another entity for providing a campaign. Forexample, a user of the user device 324 can go to a local sporting eventat first location 319 a such as a sports venue. The sports venue canhave a plurality of first premises devices 206 a such as low energybeacons scattered throughout the sports venue. Each of the plurality oflow energy beacons can have a first premises device identifier such as abeacon identifier that each of the plurality of low energy beaconstransmits. Furthermore, the second location 319 b can be a localrestaurant that can have a campaign which activates if one or morebusiness rules are satisfied. The business rules can comprise acondition that if a customer of the local restaurant attended thesporting event the night before, the customer can receive a coupon whenthe customer visits the local restaurant and/or other conditions aremet. For example, the sports team may have needed to win for thecampaign to activate. The user of the user device 324 can detect abeacon identifier in the sports venue and an association can be made andstored at the targeted communication service 122. The next day, when theuser enters the local restaurant, an application for the sports event oran application for the local restaurant can cause the operating systemof the user device 324 to monitor for transmissions of second premisesdevice identifiers from second premises devices 206 b. The localrestaurant can have one or more second premises devices 206 b (e.g., lowenergy beacons and/or a wireless access point) transmitting secondpremises device identifiers. Upon associating the user device 324 withone of the second premises devices 206 b, the targeted communicationservice 122 can determine whether there are any campaigns associatedwith a detection of the second premises device identifiers of the localrestaurant. If there is a campaign associated with the detection, thetargeted communication service 122 can determine whether there are anyother conditions associated with the campaign that need to be fulfilledbefore the campaign can be transmitted to the user device. One suchcondition can be that the user attended the previous night's sportsvenue. The targeted communication service 122 can access the datawarehouse 220 to determine whether the user device 324 was at the sportsvenue. The targeted communication service 122 can search for the userdevice identifier to determine whether any other associations that weremade between the user device 324 and a first premises device 206 a. Ifany of the premises device identifiers associated with the user deviceidentifier match the first premises device identifiers that the targetedcommunication service 122 is searching for to satisfy the campaign, thenthe targeted communication service 122 can cause the user device 324 topresent the user with the campaign (e.g., coupon) of the localrestaurant.

In a related example, a first location 319 a can serve as an entitlementfor campaign delivery at a second location 319 b within a defined timeperiod. For example, a user device 324 can make an association with afirst premises device 206 a. The association can cause an entitlement toa campaign such as content. For example, if the user device 324 of auser made an association with a first premises device 206 a at a stadiumthe previous night, the user can gain entitlement to watch highlights oflast night's game on demand at home (e.g., second location 319 b)because the user attended the game. In an aspect, entitlement isconfirmed by the conditions triggered by the proximity platform 214. Theentitlement can be generated by the targeted communication service 122or a third party entitlement engine. In an aspect, the entitlement canhave an expiration and the targeted communication service 122 cancomprise an accounting system to capture content viewed for payment tothe content programmers based on viewership.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an example execution of an eventscheduler 218 for a given location 319, according to various aspects. Inan aspect, a location 319 can have a plurality of events scheduled atthe location 319 and/or multiple applications can be used at thelocation 319. For example, an arena can have multiple teams, concerts,conventions, and the like taking place at different times at the arena.In an aspect, an event administrator 1102 for the location 319 cancreate an event schedule (e.g., event schedules 1104, 1106, 1108, and1110) for a plurality of events (e.g., event(1), event(2), and event(3)of the event schedule 1104) at the location 319. The event administrator1102 can create the event schedule for the location 319 with the eventscheduler such as event scheduler 218 of the targeted communicationservice 122 of FIG. 2. In an aspect, the event administrator 1102 caninput the various times and dates (e.g., time(1), time(2), and time(3)of the event schedule 1104) of each of the plurality of events. Theevent scheduler 218 can then cause the proximity platform 214 to assignone or more premises devices (e.g., group(1) of the event schedule 1104)and/or respective premises device identifiers (e.g., set(1) of the eventschedule 1104) to each of the plurality of events. The proximityplatform 214 can map the one or more premises devices and/or respectivepremises device identifiers to one or more applications (e.g.,application(1), application(2), application(3) of the event schedule1104) of user devices 324 that support the event, campaigns (e.g.,campaign(1), campaign(2), and campaign(3) of the event schedule 1104)mapped with the event, time of the event, combinations thereof and thelike. The applications can be one or more of a hockey team application,a basketball team application, a concert application, a conventionapplication, a vendor application, a general location application for aparticular venue, and the like. In an aspect, the proximity platform 214can dissociate applications from premises device identifiers that aremapped with a different event than that of a current event.

In an aspect, an event schedule 1104 of FIG. 11 illustrates an exampleof how the event scheduler 218 can reassign a first group (e.g.,group(1)) of premises devices having static premises device identifiers(e.g., set(1)) to various events (e.g., event(1), event(2), andevent(3)) and applications (e.g., application(1), application(2), andapplication(3)) based on time (e.g., time(1), time(2), and time(3)).

In an aspect, the proximity platform 214 can refer to the eventscheduler 218 to determine that a first event (e.g., event(1)) isscheduled to begin. The proximity platform 214 can determine that thefirst event is scheduled to begin by monitoring time and comparing thetime to a scheduled time (e.g., time(1)) when the first event occurs. Inan aspect, after determining that the first event is scheduled to begin,the proximity platform 214 can send an indication to the one or moreuser devices 324 having a first application (e.g., application(1))corresponding to the first event beginning. The indication can cause thefirst application to monitor for the one or more premises deviceidentifiers (e.g., set(1)) transmitted by one or more premises devices(e.g., wireless access point 232 and/or low energy beacon 234) at thelocation 319 during the first event. The one or more premises devicescan be part of a first group of premises devices (e.g., group(1)). In anaspect, the indication can cause any other applications, such as asecond application (e.g., application(2)), associated with the location319 and not associated with the first event to discontinue monitoringfor the premises device identifiers. In an aspect, the first applicationcan cause the user device 324 to continue monitoring for the one or morepremises device identifiers of the location until the end of the event.In an aspect, a first campaign (e.g., campaign(1)) can be associatedwith the event and the premises device identifiers. In an aspect, theindication can comprise an end time indicating when to discontinuemonitoring for premises device identifiers. In an aspect, the proximityplatform 214 of the targeted communication service 122 can send a secondindication to cause the user device 324 to discontinue monitoring forthe premises device identifiers for the first application.

In an aspect, instead of transmitting an indication to the user device324, the event scheduler 218 can cause the proximity platform 214 toactivate and deactivate applications based on the event schedule at thetargeted communication service 122. In an aspect, a first applicationand a second application at the user device 324 can cause the operatingsystem of the user device to monitor for one or more premises deviceidentifiers. The first application and the second application can bemonitoring for the same and/or different premises device identifiers. Inan aspect, when the operating system of user device 324 detects apremises device identifier for the first application, then the userdevice 324 can send an indication comprising the user device identifierand the detected premises device identifier to the targetedcommunication service 122. The proximity platform 214 can determinewhether there is an event occurring for the first application. If thereis an event occurring for the first application, then the targetedcommunication service 122 can log the indication comprising the userdevice identifier and the detected premises device identifier in thedata warehouse 220 of FIG. 2. The targeted communication service 122 candetermine a campaign to be transmitted to the user device 324, apresentation device 210, and/or a media device (not shown) or initiateany other method described herein that depends on a detection between auser device and a premises device. In an aspect, if the proximityplatform determines that there is not an event associated with the firstapplication and the detected premises device, then the targetedcommunication service 122 can ignore the indication received by the userdevice 324 and/or premises device sending the indication of thedetection of the user device 324 and the premises device of the premisesdevice identifier. In another aspect, the proximity platform 214 canstill cause the targeted communication service 122 to store theindication of the detection in the data warehouse but suspend any actionassociated with the first application because there is no eventscheduled with the first application.

In an aspect, the event scheduler 218 can cause the targetedcommunication service 122 to only provide campaigns associated with afirst application on the user device 324 associated with an event thatis occurring at the location during the scheduled time per the eventscheduler 218. Other applications on the user device 324 can be runningand detecting the premises device identifiers. However, the otherapplications do not receive or activate campaigns since none arescheduled at the given time for the other applications besides thefirst.

In an aspect, an event schedule 1106 illustrates an example of thelocation 319 having a different group (e.g., group(1), group(2), andgroup(3)) of premises devices based on the event (e.g., event(1),event(2), and event(3)) that is occurring at the location 319. Eachpremises device from each group of premises devices can have a uniquepremises device identifier (e.g., set(1), set(2), and set(3)). Eachapplication (e.g., application(1), application(2), and application(3)can monitor for their respective set of premises device identifiers.Certain events may have certain locations within the location 319 thatare only applicable for that specific event. As an example in the eventschedule 1106 a first application (application (1)) for a first event(event(1)) at a first time (time(1)) can monitor for a first set(set(1)) of premises device identifiers of a first group (group(1)) ofpremises devices. Detection between a user device and at least one ofthe first set of premises device identifiers can cause a first campaign(campaign(1)) to activate if the detection is at the first time.Likewise, a second application (application (2)) for a second event(event(2)) at a second time (time(2)) can monitor for a second set(set(2)) of premises device identifiers of a second group (group(2)) ofpremises devices. Detection between a user device and at least one ofthe second set of premises device identifiers can cause a secondcampaign (campaign(2)) to activate if the detection is at the secondtime. Finally, a third application (application (3)) for a third event(event(3)) at a third time (time(3)) can monitor for a third set(set(3)) of premises device identifiers of a third group (group(2)) ofpremises devices. Detection between a user device and at least one ofthe third set of premises device identifiers can cause a third campaign(campaign(3)) to activate if the detection is at the third time.

In an aspect, event schedule 1108 illustrates a function of the eventscheduler 218 where the event scheduler 218 can cause the proximityplatform 214 to change a first premises device identifier of a firstpremises device to a second premises device identifier. In an aspect,the user device 324 can monitor for a first set (set(1)) of premisesdevice identifiers for a first application (application(1)), a secondset (set(2)) of premises device identifiers for a second application(application(2)), and a third set of premises device identifiers for athird application (application(3)). If the applications are for eventsat the same location, then the event scheduler 218, based on the eventschedule 1108, can cause the proximity platform 214 to assign eachpremises device 206 a new premises device identifier based on the eventthat is occurring at the location and the event's correspondingapplication. The user's first, second, and third applications can stillmonitor for their respective premises device identifiers in thebackground of the user device 324 but only one of the applications willdetect premises device identifiers because the location's premisesdevices are only transmitting one application's set of premises deviceidentifiers.

In an aspect, event schedule 1110 illustrates a function of the eventscheduler 218 where the event scheduler 218 can cause the proximityplatform 214 to alter the campaign based on time. In an aspect, the userdevice 324 can monitor for a set (set(1)) of premises device identifierswith an application (application(1)). A first event (event(1)), a secondevent (event(2)), and a third event (event(3)) can use the applicationfor the location. Furthermore, the first event, the second event, andthe third event can share the same premises devices (group(1)), whichhave a static set (set(1)) of premises device identifiers for allevents. The proximity platform 214 can reference the event scheduler 218or the event scheduler 218 can signal to the proximity platform 214which event is taking place. The proximity platform 214 can then startand stop campaigns (campaign(1), campaign(2), and campaign(3)) basedtime and the event. At a first time (time(1)) for the first event(event(1)), the proximity platform 214 can activate a first campaign(campaign(1)). At a second time (time(2)) for the second event(event(2)), the proximity platform 214 can activate a second campaign(campaign(2)) and deactivate the first campaign. At a third time(time(3)) for the third event (event(3)), the proximity platform 214 canactivate a third campaign (campaign(3)) and deactivate the secondcampaign. In an aspect, the campaigns can be presented to theapplication. In an aspect, each event can be associated with its ownapplication (e.g., application(1), application(2), and application(3)).The applications can be running on the user device and detecting thepremises device identifiers of the location 319. However, the proximityplatform 214 knows which campaigns are active for which applications andtherefore would only present those active campaigns to the user device324 and/or presentation device 210 running those applications.

In an aspect, the event scheduler 218 and proximity platform 214 cancombine any of the methods of scheduling events described in eventschedules 1104, 1106, 1108, and 1110. As an example, the type ofpremises device (e.g., wireless access point 232 or low energy beacon234) may influence which method that the event scheduler 218 andproximity platform 214 may implement for that premises device 206. Forexample, the methods illustrated for event schedules 1104 and 1106 canbe more suitable for low energy beacons 234 because the low energybeacons 234 may only be transmitting a beacon identifier and cannotreceive communication from the targeted communication service 122 and/oruser device 324. Therefore, the targeted communication service 122 or auser device cannot change the beacon identifier of the low energybeacons 234.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of a hierarchical premises deviceconfiguration over a plurality of locations according to variousaspects. In an aspect, a system 1200 can be established where aplurality of locations (e.g., a first location 1206 a, a second location1206 b, and a third location 1206 c) receive services over a network1204 from the targeted campaign or data service 122. Each location 1206a, 1206 b, and 1206 c can have an aggregator 1208 that aggregatesinformation from user devices 324 at the locations 1206 a, 1206 b, and1206 c and other information from interactions of user devices 324 withpremises devices at the locations 1206 a, 1206 b, and 1206 c. Theaggregated information can be stored by the targeted communicationservice 122. Each location 1206 a, 1206 b, and 1206 c can comprise aplurality of premises devices. The premises devices can comprise a setof low energy beacons (e.g., a first set of low energy beacons 1214 a, asecond set of low energy beacons 1214 b, and a third set of low energybeacons, respectively) 1214 c. The premises devices can also compriseone or more wireless access points. For example, the first location 1206a can comprise a wireless access point 1212 a, the second location 1206b can comprise a wireless access point 1212 b, and the third location1206 c can comprise a wireless access point 1212 c. Each location 1206a, 1206 b, and 1206 c can also comprise a primary low energy beacon(e.g., a first primary low energy beacon 1210 a, a second primary lowenergy beacon 1210 b, and a third primary low energy beacon 1210 c,respectively). The primary low energy beacons 1210 a, 1210 b, and 1210 ccan be configured to identify respective sets of low energy beacons 1214a, 1214 b, and 1214 c.

In an aspect, low energy beacons 1214 a, 1214 b, and 1214 c can beconfigured to broadcast or otherwise transmit a set of beaconidentifiers (e.g., a hierarchical combination of Universally UniqueIdentifier UUID—and “major” and “minor” numbers or a hierarchicalcombination of a namespace and an instance) establishing a geofence forwhich user devices 324 can monitor for the set of beacon identifiers. Inan aspect, applications installed on the user device 324 can registerthe beacon identifiers with the operating system of the user device 324for monitoring. When the user device 324 detects a beacon identifierthat is registered with the operating system, the operating systemawakens those applications (if any) that registered the beaconidentifier. The application then decides what action to take based onthe detection, often with the assistance of the targeted communicationservice 122 that maintains detailed information on locations (e.g., 1206a, 1206 b, and 1206 c) and actions/campaigns to execute. In an aspect,the operating system of the user device 324 can impose a limitation thatan application can only register for a defined number of beaconidentifiers at one time. Having the limitation helps reduce the amountof energy the user device 324 uses to monitor for beacon identifiers inthe background.

However, the limitation on the number of beacon identifiers for whichthe operating system monitors can present a problem as it is possiblethat an application, especially one supporting multiple locations, isinterested in receiving a location notification in excess of thelimitation of the number beacon identifiers set by the operating systemand/or there more low energy beacons at a location than the limitation.In an aspect, a location can be limited to a number of low energybeacons that represents the limitation imposed by the operating systemon the maximum number of beacon identifiers. In an aspect, each location1206 a, 1206 b, and 1206 c can use the same set of beacon identifiersacross the locations 1206 a, 1206 b, and 1206 c transmitted by the lowenergy beacons 1214 a, 1214 b, and 1214 c respectively. In an aspect,the user device 324 monitoring for the set of beacon identifiers canenter one of the locations and detect a beacon identifier for which itis monitoring. However, the application on the user device 324 and/orthe targeted communication service 122 does not know which location 1206a, 1206 b, or 1206 c the user device 324 is at and therefore does notknow which action/campaign to perform unless each location has the samelogic for identical beacon identifiers. In an aspect, the user device324 can determine its present location through another type of premisesdevice besides the low energy beacons 1214 a, 1214 b, and 1214 c. In anaspect, the user device 324 can establish communication with a wirelessaccess point such as wireless access points 1212 a, 1212 b, and/or 1212c. A wireless access point identifier of a wireless access point 1212 a,1212 b, and/or 1212 c can be used by targeted communication service 122to determine which location 1206 a, 1206 b, or 1206 c the user device324 is at. The targeted communication service 122 can then determine anaction/campaign the targeted communication service 122 and/or the userdevice 324 can perform based on the detected beacon identifier and/orwireless access point identifier. In another aspect, another locationidentifying service can be used besides the wireless access pointidentifier such as a global positioning system that can provide alatitude and longitude of the detected beacon identifier. This aspectcan support multiple sites; for example, an application for a chaindepartment store or an application supporting multiple sports teams atmultiple stadiums. Because the beacon identifiers are reused acrosssites, the identifiers are not sufficient for determining the specificsite where the user device 324 and beacon encounter took place. Forexample, an application can register for, and be informed of, anencounter with a beacon broadcasting beacon identifier “1111”, but theapplication and the targeted communication service 122 supporting theapplication would not know if the encounter happened at Stadium A oracross the town/city/state/country at Stadium B. By obtaining wirelessaccess point identifiers and/or GPS determined latitude and longitude,an application can determine, in conjunction with the targetedcommunication service 122 supporting the application, the site at whichthe user device 324 is located, and what campaign to execute whenencountering a beacon identifier at that site.

The method above has the benefit of operating across multiple locations,but within the beacon identifier limitation set by the operating systemof the user device 324. At an individual location that requires morebeacon identifiers than the beacon identifier limitation, theapplication must dynamically update the beacon identifiers for which theoperating system of the user device 324 is monitoring. The applicationcan accomplish this dynamic updating by dynamically deregistering beaconidentifiers that are not immediately relevant, and registering beaconidentifiers with the operating system that are relevant. Again, theapplication registers a set of primary beacon identifiers (e.g., primarylow energy beacons 1210 a, 1210 b, and 1210 c) with the operatingsystem. Those primary beacon identifiers (one or several) can be used tomark the entrances to the location. As the user device 324 detects oneor more of the primary low energy beacons, the operating system canlaunch the application. As in the aspect described above, theapplication, in conjunction with the targeted communication service 122,can determine which site the device has entered through a combination ofbeacon identifier and GPS coordinates and/or wireless access pointidentifiers. In an aspect, the application and targeted campaign servicecan determine what locations are adjacent to the user device's currentlocation. Having knowledge of the user device's adjoining locations, andthe beacon identifiers specific to those locations, the applicationregisters the beacon identifiers with the operating system. To free upspace and stay within the beacon identifier limitation, the applicationmay deregister identifiers that are either spatially remote ortemporally distant (in other words, “timed out”). In this way, a devicemay move through a site containing large numbers of locations (e.g.,geofences), and maintaining beacon identifier registrations for thoselocations that are proximate to the current location of the user device324.

In an aspect, the beacon identifier limitation imposed by an operatingsystem when determining location can be overcome by detection of beaconidentifiers by the user device without additional location services suchas detection of wireless access points or GPS coordinates. A combinationof primary beacon identifiers to determine the location can beimplemented depending on the maximum number of beacon identifiers set bythe operating system. For example, an entrance at a location can haveone or more primary low energy beacons installed, each transmitting aprimary beacon identifier. Upon detection of a combination of theprimary beacon identifiers by the operating system the application, thetargeted communication service 122 can determine the location for thatparticular combination of primary beacon identifiers. The targetedcommunication service 122 can send the user device 324 a secondary setof beacon identifiers for beacons at the location. The application canregister the secondary set of beacon identifiers with the operatingsystem so that the operating system of the user device can monitor forthe secondary set of beacons identifiers.

In another example, a primary beacon could be employed at theentrance(s) to a location (e.g., geofence). This primary beacon canbroadcast a UUID and one or more additional identifiers (e.g., major andminor numbers; namespace and instance, and the like.). The same UUIDcould be used for a large number of locations, but the one or moreadditional identifiers would be different for those locations. Themobile application registers the UUID with the operating system of theuser device 324. When the user device encounters that UUID, theoperating system awakens the application. The application then gathersthe one or more additional identifiers and reports the one or moreadditional identifiers and the UUID to the targeted communicationservice 122. The targeted communication service 122 can then determinewhere the user device 324 is located and send a set of UUIDs specific tothe encountered location to the user device 324. In this way, GPS andWiFi and other services are not required.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1300 of proximity detection,according to various aspects. In step 1302, a proximity platform (e.g.,the proximity platform 214) of a targeted campaign service (e.g.,targeted communication service 122) can receive an indication of adetection between a user device (e.g., the user device 324) and apremises device (e.g., the premises device 206). The user device 324 canbe associated with a user. The indication can comprise a signaltransmission that communicates a user device identifier of the userdevice 324 and a premises device identifier of the premises device 206.The indication can be received from the user device 324 when the userdevice 324 detects the premises device 206. For example, a user device324 can detect a beacon identifier transmitted by a low energy beacon.In an aspect, the premises device 206 can send the indication when thepremises device 206 detects the user device 324. For example, a wirelessaccess point 232 can detect a user device identifier transmitted by theuser device 324. The indication can comprise the access point identifierand the user device identifier. In an aspect, the indication cancomprise a user identifier of the user device 324. The user identifiercan comprise authentication information or other credentials to accessthe user device 324, application on the user device 324, connect with anetwork, combinations thereof, and the like.

In step 1304, the proximity platform 214 can associate a media deviceidentifier of a media device (e.g., the media device 320) to the userdevice identifier based on the premises device identifier. In an aspect,the proximity platform 214 can first associate the user deviceidentifier to the premises device identifier upon receiving theindication comprising the premises device identifier and the user deviceidentifier. The proximity platform 214 can determine that the mediadevice identifier is associated with the premises device identifier. Forexample, the proximity platform 214 can search a database for thepremises device identifier. The database can comprise one or moreassociations of premises device identifiers to media device identifiers.The proximity platform 214 can access the associations of any mediadevice identifiers that the premises device 206 is associated with. Theproximity platform 214 can combine the association of the user deviceidentifier and the premises device identifier to the association of thepremises device identifier to the media device identifier to associatethe user device identifier to the media device identifier.

In step 1306, the proximity platform 214 can receive a request toidentify a user of the media device 320 when the media device 320detects an interaction by the user of the media device 320. In anaspect, the request can be received from the media device 320. A usercan interact with the media device 320 by requesting content orperforming any command at the media device 320. In an aspect, theinteraction with the media device 320 can cause a user informationsystem to request from the proximity platform 214 the user interactingwith the media device 320 to determine user demographic information ofthe user. The user demographic information can comprise, for example,age, sex, address, pre-defined interests, gathered interests, educationlevel, occupation, religion, ethnicity, education, and the like.

In step 1308, the proximity platform 214 can determine a confidencelevel that the user of the user device 324 is the user of the mediadevice 320. In an aspect, the confidence level that the user of the userdevice 324 is the user of the media device 320 can be based on at leastone of an identity confidence level of the identity of the user of theuser device 324 and a proximity confidence level of proximity of theuser of the user device 324 to the media device 320. As an example, theproximity platform 214 can determine the identity confidence level basedon stored associations between the user device identifier and one ormore user identifiers. As another example, the identity confidence levelcan be based on authentication information from the indication or othercredentials from the user device 324. In an aspect, the proximityconfidence level can be determined based on a signal range of thepremises device 206. For example, a low energy beacon can have a smallersignal range than a wireless access point. Therefore, if the premisesdevice identifier is from a low energy beacon, then the proximityplatform 214 can determine that there is a higher confidence level thatthe user device 324 is in closer proximity to the media device 320 thanfrom the premises device identifier being from a wireless access point.

In step 1310, the proximity platform 214 can provide the user deviceidentifier mapped with the media device identifier and the confidencelevel that the user of the user device identifier is the user of themedia device 320 in response to the request to identify the user of themedia device 320. The proximity platform 214 can send the useridentifier and confidence level to the user information system. Once theuser information system knows the user and the confidence level that theuser of is the user of the media device 320, then the user informationsystem can retrieve user demographic information for the particular userso that a campaign management system can determine an action, campaign,content, combinations thereof and the like to present to the user at themedia device 320.

In an aspect, the presence engine of the proximity platform 214 canfurther dissociate the user device identifier from the premises deviceidentifier when the detection between the user device 324 and thepremises device 206 no longer exists. The proximity platform 214 canthen dissociate the association of the user device identifier and themedia device identifier that is based on the dissociated premises deviceidentifier. The determination of the confidence level that the user ofthe user device 324 is the user of the media device 320 can be based onwhether the user device 324 maintains a continued presence near themedia device 320. The continued presence can be based on a thresholdtime period between the association of the user device identifier to thepremises device identifier and the dissociation of the user deviceidentifier to the premises device identifier.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1400 of proximity detectionand targeted campaigns, according to various aspects. In step 1402, atargeted campaign service (e.g., the targeted communication service 122)can receive an indication of a detection between a user device (e.g.,the user device 324) and a premises device (e.g., the premises device206). The user device 324 can be associated with a user. The indicationcan comprise a signal transmission that communicates a user deviceidentifier of the user device 324 and a premises device identifier ofthe premises device 206. The indication can be received from the userdevice 324 when the user device 324 detects the premises device 206. Forexample, a user device 324 can detect a beacon identifier transmitted bya low energy beacon. In an aspect, the premises device 206 can send theindication when the premises device 206 detects the user device 324. Forexample, a wireless access point can detect a user device identifiertransmitted by the user device 324. The indication can comprise theaccess point identifier and the user device identifier. In an aspect,the indication can comprise a user identifier of the user device 324.The user identifier can comprise authentication information or othercredentials to access the user device 324, application on the userdevice 324, connect with a network, combinations thereof, and the like.

In step 1404, the targeted communication service 122 can receive anindication from a media device (e.g., the media device 320) when themedia device 320 detects an interaction of a user with the media device320. The indication can require an action to be performed based on theuser of the media device 320. For example, the user can interact withthe media device 320 by requesting content or performing any command atthe media device. The interaction can comprise a content request. Theinteraction can cause an action that can use user demographicinformation to customize the action to be performed based on the user ofthe media device 320. The user demographic information can comprise, forexample, age, sex, address, pre-defined interests, gathered interests,education level, occupation, religion, ethnicity, education, and thelike. The interaction with the media device 320 can cause a userinformation system of the targeted communication service 122 to requestfrom a proximity platform of the targeted communication service 122 theidentity of the user interacting with the media device 320 to determineuser demographic information of the user. In an aspect, the action cancomprise an insertion of a campaign (e.g., advertisement, overlay, videocontent, audio content, authorization ticket, combinations thereof andthe like) into the content provided to the media device 320 in responseto the content request.

In step 1406, the targeted communication service 122 can associate themedia device identifier of the media device 320 with the user deviceidentifier based on the premises device identifier. In an aspect, thetargeted communication service 122 can first associate the user deviceidentifier to the premises device identifier upon receiving theindication comprising the premises device identifier and the user deviceidentifier. The proximity platform can determine that the media deviceidentifier is associated with the premises device identifier. Forexample, the proximity platform can search a database or a third partydatabase for the premises device identifier. The database can compriseone or more associations of premises device identifiers to media deviceidentifiers. The proximity platform can obtain the associations of anymedia device identifiers that the premises device 206 is associatedwith. The proximity platform can combine the association of the userdevice identifier and the premises device identifier to the associationof the premises device identifier and the media device identifier toassociate the user device identifier to the media device identifier.

In step 1408, the targeted communication service 122 can determine aconfidence level that the user of the user device 324 is the user of themedia device 320 performing the interaction. The confidence level can bebased on the indication of the detection between the user device 324 andthe premises device and the association of the media device identifierof the media device 320 to the user device identifier. In an aspect, theconfidence level that the user of the user device 324 is the user of themedia device 320 can be based on at least one of an identity confidencelevel of the identity of the user of the user device 324 and proximityof the user of the user device 324 to the media device 320. As anexample, the targeted communication service 122 can determine theidentity confidence level based on stored associations between the userdevice identifier and one or more user identifiers. As another example,the identity confidence level can be based on authentication informationfrom the indication or other credentials from the user device 324. Asyet another example, the identity confidence level can be based on atype of user device 324. For example, a smart phone is more likely tohave a single user rather than a tablet which may be a communal userdevice for multiple people in a household.

In an aspect, proximity of the user device 324 to the media device 320can be determined based on a signal range of the premises device 206.The signal range can be based on a communication protocol for thepremises device 206. For example, a low energy beacon utilizing BLEprotocol can have a shorter signal range than a wireless access pointutilizing WiFi protocol. Therefore, if the premises device identifier isfrom a low energy beacon, then the proximity platform 214 can determinethat there is a higher confidence level that the user device 324 is incloser proximity to the media device 320 than from the premises deviceidentifier being from a wireless access point. In an aspect, proximityof the user device 324 to the media device 320 can be based on signalstrength between the user device 324 and the premises device 206. Forexample, the signal strength can be an RSSI value. The RSSI value canfluctuate enough to make a determination that the user device 324 ismoving around the location and therefore is less likely to beinteracting with the media device 320. If the RSSI value issubstantially constant, then it is more likely that the user device 324is stationary. Therefore, the user of the user device 324 may be morelikely to be interacting with the media device 320. The RSSI value canalso be used to approximate distance of the user device 324 to thepremises device 206.

In step 1410, the targeted communication service 122 can determine userdemographic information of the user if the confidence level indicatesthe user of the user device is the user of the media device. In anaspect, the confidence level that the user of the user device 324 is theuser of the media device 320 can be based on at least one of an identityconfidence level of the identity of the user of the user device 324 anda proximity confidence level of proximity of the user of the user device324 to the media device 320. As an example, the proximity platform candetermine the identity confidence level based on stored associationsbetween the user device identifier and one or more user identifiers. Asanother example, the identity confidence level can be based onauthentication information from the indication or other credentials fromthe user device 324. The identity confidence level can indicate that aparticular user is using the user device 324. Therefore, demographicinformation known to the targeted communication service 122 about theuser can be accessed. In an aspect, the targeted communication service122 can obtain the user demographic information from a database or athird party data feed. The user demographic information can comprise,for example, age, sex, address, pre-defined interests, gatheredinterests, education level, occupation, religion, ethnicity, education,and the like.

In step 1412, the targeted communication service 122 can determine, inresponse to the interaction, the action to perform at the media device320 based on the user demographic information. For example, the actioncan comprise a set of business rules. The targeted communication service122 can compare one or more user demographics to the business rules todetermine whether or not to have the action performed at the mediadevice 320. In an aspect, the action to be performed can comprise aninsertion of a campaign with content provided to the media device 320 inresponse to a content request. In an aspect, the targeted communicationservice 122 can store user demographic information of the interaction ofthe user with the media device 320 to provide additional demographicinformation when the user interacts with the media device 320 again orany other interaction causing user demographic information to beaccessed by the targeted communication service 122.

In step 1414, the targeted communication service 122 can cause theaction to be performed at the media device 320. In an aspect, thetargeted communication service 122 can send instructions to the mediadevice 320 to perform the action. For example, the targetedcommunication service 122 can send a campaign to the media device 320that the media device 320 can insert into content the media device 320receives. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 canperform the action before a product of the action can be sent to themedia device 320. The targeted communication service 122 can sendinstructions to a campaign management system to perform the action tocontent to be sent to the media device 320. For example, a campaign canbe inserted into content sent to the media device 320 in response to thecontent request by the campaign management system.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1500 of proximity detectionand targeted campaigns, according to various aspects. In step 1502, atargeted campaign service (e.g., the targeted communication service 122)can receive a first indication from a first media device (e.g., aset-top box, a digital streaming device, a gaming device, a mediastorage device, a digital recording device, a digital sign, acombination thereof, and/or the like) indicating the first media devicehas detected an interaction of a first user with the first media device.In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can receive theindication directly from the first media device. In an aspect, theinteraction by the user can be a request for content from a contentserver by the first media device which provides content to the firstmedia device. A campaign management system and/or a user informationsystem can receive the indication from the content server and/or firstmedia device of the content request. The campaign management systemand/or user information system can forward the indication to a proximityplatform (e.g., the proximity platform 214) of the targetedcommunication service 122 to determine a user of the first media device.

In step 1504, the targeted communication service 122 can receive asecond indication from a second media device indicating the second mediadevice has detected an interaction of a second user with the secondmedia device. The interactions at the first media device and the secondmedia device can require a first action to be performed and secondaction to be performed, respectively, based on user demographicinformation associated with the user/users of the first media device andthe second media device. The user demographic information can comprise,for example, age, sex, address, pre-defined interests, gatheredinterests, education level, occupation, religion, ethnicity, education,and the like. As an example, a user of a media device (e.g., first mediadevice or second media device) can interact with the media device byrequesting content or performing any command at the media device. Theinteraction can therefore be a content request. The interaction cancause an action that can use user demographic information to customizethe action for the user causing the interaction. The interaction withthe media device can cause a user information system of the targetedcommunication service 122 to request from the proximity platform 214 ofthe targeted communication service 122 the identity of the userinteracting with the first media device and/or second media device. Theidentity of the user can be used to determine user demographicinformation of the user. In an aspect, the action can comprise insertionof a campaign (e.g., advertisement, overlay, video content, audiocontent, authorization ticket, combinations thereof and the like) intothe content provided to the media device in response to the contentrequest.

In step 1506, the targeted communication service 122 can determine userdemographic information associated with the first user of the firstmedia device and user demographic information associated with the seconduser of the second media device based on a proximity of a plurality ofuser devices (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a wearable device,and the like) to at least one of the first media device and second mediadevice. The targeted communication service 122 can associate theplurality of user devices to at least one of the first media device andsecond media device based on at least one common premises device (e.g.,premises device 206) associated with the plurality of user devices andat least one of the first media device and the second media device. Thetargeted communication service 122 can associate the plurality of userdevices to the at least one of the first media device and the secondmedia device by mapping user device identifiers for the plurality ofuser devices to a first media device identifier of the first mediadevice and a second media device identifier of the second media devicebased on common premises device identifiers of one or more premisesdevices 206 that are associated with the user device identifiers and atleast one of the first media device identifier and the second mediadevice identifier.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can then determineat least one of the plurality of user devices that meets a proximitythreshold based on the associations of the plurality of user devices toat least one of the first media device and second media device. In anaspect, the proximity of the plurality of user devices to the firstmedia device and second media device can be determined based on a signalrange of the at least one common premises device. In an aspect, theproximity of the plurality of user devices to the first media device andsecond media device can be determined based on a number of commonpremises devices a user device of the plurality of user devices isassociated with and a location of the number of common premises devices(e.g., premises device 206) in relation to the first media device andthe second media device.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can determine anidentity confidence level of each user of the at least one of theplurality of users devices that meets the proximity threshold. Thetargeted communication service 122 can determine the identity confidencelevel based on stored associations between a user device identifier andone or more user identifiers. As another example, the identityconfidence level can be based on authentication information from anindication comprising data of the user device. As yet another example,the identity confidence level can be based on a type of user device. Forexample, a smart phone is more likely to have a single user rather thana tablet which may be a communal user device for multiple people in ahousehold. Based on the identity confidence level and the proximity, thetargeted communication service 122 can determine the user of the firstmedia device and the user of the second media device. The users whosedevices are within the proximity threshold and whose identity confidencelevel meets an identity confidence level threshold can be the determineduser or users. The user information system of the targeted communicationservice 122 can determine which user demographic information based onthe determined users. The user information system can access userprofiles from a database that comprise user demographic information bymatching the user and/or users determined to user profiles within thedatabase. The user information system of the targeted communicationservice 122 can transmit the user demographic information of the firstuser and the second user to the campaign management system.

In step 1508, the targeted communication service 122 can determine afirst action in response to the interaction of the user with the firstmedia device and a second action in response to the interaction of theuser with the second media device. The first action and second actioncan be determined based on the users of the first media device and thesecond media device respectively. The targeted communication service 122can access user demographic information of each of the users of thefirst media device and the second media device and the user demographicinformation can be used to determine a customized action. The campaignmanagement system of the targeted communication service 122 candetermine possible actions based on the user demographic information ofthe users of the first media device and the second media device. Forexample, the campaign management system can determine, based on the userdemographic information, which campaigns to present with the contentrequested by the first media device and the second media device. In anaspect, the campaign management system can send to the content serverthe possible actions for the first action and the second action. In anaspect, the first action and/or the second action to be performed can bean insertion of a campaign with content provided to one of the firstmedia device and/or second media device in response to a contentrequest. For example, the campaign management system can send a playlistof campaigns to insert into content requested by the first media deviceand the second media device. The content server can then selectcampaigns to incorporate into the requested content from the playlist ofcampaigns. The content server can then send the content requested andthe inserted campaigns to the first media device and the second mediadevice. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can storeinformation of the interaction of the users to provide additionaldemographic information when a user interacts with a media device againor any other interaction causing user demographic information to beaccessed by the targeted communication service 122.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can cause toperform the first action at the first media device and the second actionat the second media device. In an aspect, the targeted communicationservice 122 can perform an action before a product of the action can besent to the first media device and/or the second media device. Forexample, a campaign can be inserted into content sent to the first mediadevice and/or the second media device in response to a content request.In another aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can sendinstructions to the first media device and/or the second media devicethat can cause the first media device and/or the second media device toperform the action.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1600 of proximity detectionand targeted campaigns, according to various aspects. In step 1602,targeted campaign service (e.g., the targeted communication service 122)can receive an indication of a detection between at least one premisesdevice (e.g., the premises device 206) and a plurality of user devices(e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a wearable device, and thelike). Each indication of the detection can comprise a user deviceidentifier of a user device of the plurality of user devices and apremises device identifier of a premises device of the at least onepremises device 206. In an aspect, the targeted communication service122 can receive the indication of the detection from the user deviceand/or the at least one premises device 206. In an aspect, apresentation device (e.g., presentation device 210) can be associatedwith one or more premises devices 206. For example, the presentationdevice 210 can be associated with a low energy beacon (e.g., BLE beacon)and/or a wireless access point. In an aspect, a premises deviceidentifier (e.g., a beacon identifier, an access point identifier, andthe like) can be associated with a presentation device identifier of thepresentation device 210.

In step 1604, the targeted communication service 122 can determine aconfidence level for each of the plurality of user devices that theplurality of user devices is within a presentation area of thepresentation device 210 associated with the at least one premises device206. In an aspect, the confidence level can be based on a proximityconfidence level of the proximity of each of the plurality of userdevices to the presentation device 210. In an aspect, the confidencelevel can be based on an identity confidence level of a user of each ofthe plurality of user devices. In an aspect, the confidence level can bebased on a continued presence of each of the plurality of user deviceswithin the presentation area of the presentation device 210. Thecontinued presence can exist after a threshold period of time after thedetection between a user device of the plurality of user devices and theat least one premises device 206 without any dissociations of the userdevice from the at least one premises device 206.

In step 1606, the targeted communication service 122 can determine afirst user device of the plurality of user devices that is within thepresentation area of the presentation device 210 based on the confidencelevel. The targeted communication service 122 can compare the confidencelevels of the plurality of user devices within the presentation area todetermine which user device of the user devices within the presentationarea has the highest confidence level. The user device that has thehighest confidence level can be determined to be the first user device.That is the user of user device with the highest confidence level islikely the closest user to the presentation device 210 to consume whatis on the presentation device 210.

In step 1608, the targeted communication service 122 can determine,based on a user device identifier of the first user device and theconfidence level, a communication, campaign or message to be presentedon the presentation device 210. The targeted communication service 122can use the user device identifier of the first user device and theconfidence level to determine an identity of a user for the first userdevice. The targeted communication service 122 can use the identity ofthe user of the first user device to access user demographic informationof the user from a database. As an example, a user information system ofthe targeted communication service 122 can access the user demographicinformation of the user identified to be the user of the first userdevice. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 candetermine a playlist of campaigns to be presented at the presentationdevice 210 based on the user demographic information. For example, acampaign management system of the targeted communication service 122 candetermine possible campaigns to present at the presentation device 210.The campaigns can be determined by comparing the user demographicinformation to business rules such as whether or not the user of thefirst user device has recently viewed a campaign, campaigns that alignwith the user's user demographic information, how many campaigns theuser has viewed recently, combinations thereof, and the like. In anaspect, the campaigns can be ordered on the playlist based on the mostrevenue that the targeted communication service 122 can generate fordisplaying the campaign. In an aspect, the targeted communicationservice 122 can then select from the possible campaigns a campaign thatmeets the business rules by selecting the campaign that is at the top ofthe playlist. In another aspect, the campaign to be presented on thepresentation device 210 can be determined based on when the campaign waspreviously presented at the presentation device 210.

In step 1610, the targeted communication service 122 can transmit thecommunication, campaign or message to the presentation device 210. In anaspect, the campaign can be transmitted to the first user device. In anaspect, the campaign can be transmitted to both the first user deviceand the presentation device 210. In an aspect, the campaign can betransmitted over a network (e.g., an internet).

FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1700 of proximity detectionand targeted campaigns, according to various aspects. In step 1702,targeted campaign service (e.g., the targeted communication service 122)can receive an indication of a detection between at least one premisesdevice (e.g., the premises device 206) and a plurality of user devices(e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a wearable device, and thelike). Each indication can comprise a user device identifier of a userdevice of the plurality of user devices and a premises device identifierof a premises device of at the least one premises device 206. In anaspect, the targeted communication service 122 can receive theindication of the detection from the indication's respective user deviceand/or premises device 206. In an aspect, a presentation device (e.g.,the presentation device 210) can be associated with the at least onepremises devices 206. For example, the presentation device 210 can beassociated with a low energy beacon (e.g., BLE beacon) and/or a wirelessaccess point. In an aspect, a premises device identifier (e.g., a beaconidentifier, an access point identifier, and the like) can be associatedwith a presentation device identifier of the presentation device 210.

In step 1704, the targeted communication service 122 can determine aconfidence level for each of the plurality of user devices that theplurality of user devices are within a presentation area of apresentation device 210 associated with the at least one premises device206. The targeted communication service 122 can determine a userassociated with each of the plurality of user devices based on theconfidence level to determine a campaign to present at the presentationdevice 210. In an aspect, the confidence level can comprise an identityconfidence level of a user of each of the plurality of user devices. Inan aspect, the confidence level can comprise a proximity confidencelevel of the plurality of user devices to the presentation device 210.The identity confidence level can be determined based on usersassociated with a user device of the plurality of user devices. Thetargeted communication service 122 can compare the user deviceidentifier of the user device of each indication to a databasecomprising users associated with that user device identifier. If thereis more than one user, then the targeted communication service 122 canassign a lower identity confidence level to the user device identifier.If there is additional information to determine the user such as logincredentials, then a higher identity confidence level can be given theuser determined. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122can determine the identity confidence level based on the type of userdevice. For example, a wearable user device is likely more associatedwith one user rather than a tablet that may be associated with more thanone user. In an aspect, the proximity confidence level can be determinedbased on the types of premises devices 206 each user device isassociated with. For example, if the user device is associated with alow energy beacon that is associated with the presentation device 210,then there is a higher proximity confidence level that the user deviceis in close proximity to the presentation device 210 because the lowenergy beacon has a shorter range of communication than, for example, aWiFi access point which can have a longer range of communication. Inanother example, proximity confidence level can be determined based onsignal strength between the user device and the premises device 206. Forexample, the signal strength can be an RSSI value. The RSSI value canfluctuate enough to make a determination that the user device is movingaround the premises and therefore is less likely to be interacting withthe presentation device 210. If the RSSI value is substantiallyconstant, then it is more likely that the user device is stationary.Therefore, the user of the user device may be more likely to beinteracting with the presentation device 210. The RSSI value can also beused to approximate distance of the user device to the premises device206. The targeted communication service 122 can use the identityconfidence level and the proximity confidence level to determine theconfidence level overall for each user device being within thepresentation area of the presentation device 210.

In step 1706, the targeted communication service 122 can determine afirst communication, campaign or message to transmit to the presentationdevice 210 based on the confidence levels and user device identifiersfor each of the plurality of user devices. The targeted communicationservice 122 can use the user device identifiers of the plurality of userdevices and their respective confidence levels to determine theidentities of the users for the first user device and their proximity tothe presentation device 210. The targeted communication service 122 canuse the identities of the users of the plurality of user devices toaccess user demographic information of the users from a database. As anexample, a user or subscriber information system of the targetedcommunication service 122 can access the user demographic information ofthe users identified to be the users of the plurality of user devices.In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can determine aplaylist of campaigns to be presented at the presentation device 210based on the combined user demographic information. As an example, acampaign management system of the targeted communication service 122 candetermine possible campaigns to present at the presentation device 210.The campaigns can be determined by comparing the user demographicinformation to business rules such as whether or not the users of theplurality of user devices have recently viewed a campaign, campaignsthat align with the users' user demographic information, how manycampaigns the users have viewed recently, global campaigns for thepresentation device 210 and associated premises device identifiers,combinations thereof, and the like. In an aspect, the targetedcommunication service 122 can then select from the possible campaigns acampaign that meets the business rules by selecting the campaign that isat the top of the playlist. In an aspect, the campaigns can be orderedon the playlist based on the most revenue that the targeted campaignservice 210 can generate for displaying the campaign.

In step 1708, the targeted communication service 122 can transmit thefirst communication, campaign or message to the presentation device 210.In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can transmit thefirst campaign to the plurality of user devices. In an aspect, thetargeted communication service 122 can transmit the campaign to both thepresentation device 210 and the plurality of user devices.

In step 1710, the targeted communication service 122 can detect apresence of at least one user device of the plurality of user deviceswithin the presentation area of the presentation device 210. Thedetected presence can be a continued presence or a combination ofintermittent presences over a period of time. In an aspect, thecontinued presence can exist after a threshold period of time afterdetection between a user device 324 of the plurality of user devices andthe at least one premises device 206 without any dissociations of theuser device 324 from the at least one premises device 206.Alternatively, continued presence can be determined based on asufficient or predetermined amount of intermittent presence activities.

In step 1712, the targeted communication service 122 can determine asecond campaign to transmit based on the user device identifier of theat least one user device 324 having the presence of the at least oneuser device. The targeted communication service 122 can determine thesecond campaign to transmit as described in step 1706 with regard to thefirst campaign, but can be based on the user demographic information ofa user of the at least one user device.

In step 1714, the targeted communication service 122 can transmit thefirst campaign to the presentation device 210. In an aspect, the secondcampaign can be transmitted to the at least one user device of theplurality of user devices based at least in part on the detectedpresence, e.g., for a device having a continued presence. The secondcampaign can be transmitted to the at least one user device havingcontinued presence in addition to transmitting to the presentationdevice 210 or the second campaign can be transmitted only to the atleast one user device having continued presence. In an aspect, thetargeted communication service 122 can determine a third campaign totransmit to the presentation device 210 based on the user deviceidentifiers and confidence levels for the plurality of user device nothaving a continued presence while the second campaign is transmitted tothe at least one user device having continued presence.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can receive anotification of consumption of at least one of the first campaign andsecond campaign by a user of a user device of the plurality of userdevices. The targeted communication service 122 can store thenotification with user demographic information of the user. The userdemographic information can comprise, for example, age, sex, address,pre-defined interests, gathered interests, education level, occupation,religion, ethnicity, education, and the like. The targeted communicationservice 122 can receive a request for a third campaign. The targetedcommunication service 122 can determine the third campaign based on theuser demographic information comprising the notification of consumption.

FIG. 18 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1800 of proximity detectionand targeted campaigns, according to various aspects. In step 1802,targeted campaign service (e.g., the targeted communication service 122)can receive an indication for a detection between at least one premisesdevice (e.g., the premises device 206) and a plurality of user devices(a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a wearable device, and the like),wherein each indication for the detection comprises a user deviceidentifier of a user device of the plurality of user devices and apremises device identifier of a premises device 206 of the at least onepremises device. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122can receive the indication of the detection from the indication'srespective user device and/or premises device 206. In an aspect, apresentation device (e.g., the presentation device 210) can beassociated with one or more premises devices 206. For example, thepresentation device 210 can be associated with a low energy beacon(e.g., BLE beacon) and/or a wireless access point.

In step 1804, the targeted communication service 122 can determine aconfidence level for each of the plurality of user devices that theplurality of user devices are within a presentation area of thepresentation device 210 associated with the at least one premisesdevice. In an aspect, a premises device identifier (e.g., a beaconidentifier, an access point identifier, and the like) can be associatedwith a presentation device identifier of the presentation device 210. Inan aspect, the confidence level for each of the plurality of userdevices can comprise a proximity confidence level of each of theplurality of user devices to the presentation device 210. In an aspect,the confidence level can comprise an identity confidence level of eachuser of the plurality of user devices. The identity confidence level canbe determined based on users associated with a user device of theplurality of user devices. The targeted communication service 122 cancompare the user device identifier of the user device of each indicationto a database comprising users associated with that user deviceidentifier. If there is more than one user, then the targetedcommunication service 122 can assign a lower identity confidence levelto the user device identifier. If there is additional information todetermine the user such as login credentials, then a higher identityconfidence level can be given the user determined. In an aspect, thetargeted communication service 122 can determine the identity confidencelevel based on the type of user device 324. For example, a wearable userdevice is likely more associated with one user rather than a tablet thatmay be associated with more than one user. In an aspect, the proximityconfidence level can be determined based on the types of premisesdevices 206 each user device is associated with. For example, if theuser device is associated with a low energy beacon that is associatedwith the presentation device 210, then there is a higher proximityconfidence level that the user device is in close proximity to thepresentation device 210 because the low energy beacon has a shorterrange of communication than, for example, a WiFi access point which canhave a longer range of communication. In another example, proximityconfidence level can be determined based on signal strength between theuser device and the premises device 206. For example, the signalstrength can be an RSSI value. The RSSI value can fluctuate enough tomake a determination that the user device is moving around the locationand therefore is less likely to be interacting with the presentationdevice 210. If the RSSI value is substantially constant, then it is morelikely that the user device is stationary. Therefore, the user of theuser device may be more likely to be interacting with the presentationdevice 210. The RSSI value can also be used to approximate distance ofthe user device to the premises device 206. The targeted communicationservice 122 can use the identity confidence level and the proximityconfidence level to determine the confidence level overall for each userdevice being within the presentation area of the presentation device210.

In an aspect, the confidence level can be based on a continued presenceof each of the plurality of user devices within the presentation area ofthe presentation device 210. In an aspect, the continued presence canexist after a threshold period of time after the detection between auser device of the plurality of user devices and the at least onepremises device without any dissociations of the user device from the atleast one premises device.

In step 1806, the targeted communication service 122 can determine,based on the user device identifiers of the plurality of user devicesand each confidence level of the plurality of user devices, acommunication, campaign or message to be presented on the presentationdevice 210. In an aspect, the campaign to be presented at thepresentation device 210 can be based on when a candidate campaign waspreviously presented. The targeted communication service 122 can use theuser device identifiers of the plurality of user devices and theirrespective confidence levels to determine the identities of the usersfor the first user device and their proximity to the presentation device210. The targeted communication service 122 can use the identities ofthe users of the plurality of user devices to access user demographicinformation of the users from a database. As an example, a userinformation system of the targeted communication service 122 can accessthe user demographic information of the users identified to be the usersof the plurality of user devices. In an aspect, the targetedcommunication service 122 can determine a playlist of campaigns to bepresented at the presentation device 210 based on the combined userdemographic information. As an example, a campaign management system ofthe targeted communication service 122 can determine possible campaignsto present at the presentation device 210. The campaigns can bedetermined by comparing the user demographic information to businessrules such as whether or not the users of the plurality of user deviceshave recently viewed a campaign, campaigns that align with the users'user demographic information, how many campaigns the users have viewedrecently, global campaigns for the presentation device 210 andassociated premises device identifiers, combinations thereof, and thelike. In an aspect, the campaigns can be ordered on the playlist basedon the most revenue that the targeted communication service 122 cangenerate for displaying the campaign. In an aspect, the targetedcommunication service 122 can then select from the possible campaigns acampaign that meets the business rules by selecting the campaign that isat the top of the playlist.

In step 1808, the targeted communication service 122 can transmit thecampaign to the presentation device 210. In an aspect, the campaign canbe transmitted to the plurality of user devices. In an aspect, thecampaign can be transmitted by multicasting the campaign to theplurality of user devices. The targeted communication service 122 cantransmit the campaign to the user devices and/or the presentation device210 over a network such as the Internet. As an example, the campaign canbe transmitted targeted communication service 122 by video multicastingwhich can be used to send video to multiple users using the samebitstream which conserves network resources by reducing a number ofunicast bitstreams to multiple users consuming the same content. Thevideo multicasting can be scalable in that the video multicastingcomprises a scalable video coding (SVC) technique. A SVC can encode avideo multicast into one base layer and one or more enhancement layers.The base layer can ensure the basic video quality of all users and eachadditional enhancement layer enhances the quality of the video dependingon the capabilities of the end user device. Video multicast consumptioncan be managed and analyzed by the various dashboards such as thebehavioral analytics dashboard. In an aspect, multicasting can permitcontent to be received and cached until a condition occurs. In anaspect, the content can be associated with a location. The content canbe stored for a period of time and removed from storage after the periodof time outside the location.

FIG. 19 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1900 of proximity detectionand targeted campaigns, according to various aspects. In step 1902, auser device (e.g., the user device 324) can monitor for a plurality ofpremises device identifiers of a plurality of premises devices (e.g.,the premises device 206). The user device 324 can have an applicationinstalled comprising at least one premises device identifier registeredwith an operating system of the user device 324 so that the operatingsystem can monitor for the at least one premises device identifier of apremises device 206. For example, the operating system of the userdevice 324 can monitor for premises device identifiers, such as UUIDs,of premises devices 206 that are of interest to the applicationinstalled on the user device 324. As the user device 324 traverses spaceby the user of the user device 324 moving around, the user device 324can detect transmissions from one or more premises devices 206.

In step 1904, the user device 324 can detect a first premises deviceidentifier of the plurality of premises device identifiers. Thedetection of the first premises device identifier can be caused by afirst application on the user device 324. The first premises deviceidentifier can be transmitted by a first premises device at a firstlocation belonging to a first entity.

In step 1906, the user device 324 can optionally store the detection ofthe transmission of the first premises device identifier. In an aspect,the user device 324 can store the detection of the transmission of thefirst premises device identifier by transmitting the detection of thetransmission of the first premises device identifier to a targetedcampaign service (e.g., targeted communication service 122) for storage.In an aspect, the user device 324 can store the detection of thetransmission of the first premises device identifier locally at the userdevice 324.

In step 1908, the user device 324 can detect a transmission of a secondpremises device identifier of the plurality of premises deviceidentifiers. In an aspect, the detection of the second premises deviceidentifier can be caused by the first application on the user device 324and/or a second application on the user device 324. The second premisesdevice identifier can be transmitted by a second premises device at asecond location belonging to a second entity.

In step 1910, the user device 324 can determine whether an action existsbased on detecting the first premises device identifier and the secondpremises device identifier. In an aspect, the user device 324 can send arequest to the targeted campaign service 324 to determine whether anaction exists based on a condition existing between detecting thetransmission of the first premises device identifier and the secondpremises device identifier. An action can be providing a targetedcampaign to the user device 324. An action can be “waking up” the secondapplication, causing a function of the application to be performed,causing the premises device 206 to establish a communication sessionbetween a user device 324 and premises device 206. In an aspect, theaction can exist based on a plurality of conditions. For example, acondition can be continued presence. As another example, the conditioncan be based on a time of the detection of the first premises deviceidentifier and a time of the detection of the second premises deviceidentifier. In an aspect, a condition of the plurality of conditions canbe based an occurrence at the first location of the first premisesdevice. For example, a team of an arena has to win the game for theaction to exist such as providing a campaign of a coupon at a localrestaurant.

In step 1912, the user device can perform the action associated with thecondition at the user device when the condition exists. In anotherexample, the user device 324 can receive instructions to perform theaction associated with the condition at the user device 324 when thecondition exists. In an aspect, the user device 324 can execute theinstructions of the action. The user device 324 can determine whetherthe user of the user device 324 interacted with results of the action.In an aspect, the user device 324 can send an indication to the targetedcommunication service 122 comprising details of any interaction. Thedetails of the interaction can be used by the targeted communicationservice 122 to determine a customized action (e.g., campaign) for a userof the user device 324 based on the details of the interaction.

In an aspect, the user device 324 can receive a campaign from thetargeted communication service 122. The campaign comprises one or moreof content, actions on interactive applications, ticketing for events,point of sale integration and ordering, loyalty/shopping rewardsprograms, advertisement content and the like. The action can compriseperforming the campaign.

FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart of a method 2000 of proximity detectionand targeted campaigns, according to various aspects. In step 2002, atargeted campaign service (e.g., the targeted communication service 122)can receive a first indication of an association between a user device(e.g., the user device 324) and a first premises device (e.g., thepremises device 206) at a first time. In an aspect, the first premisesdevice can be at a first location of a first entity. The user device 324can comprise an installed application comprising at least one premisesdevice identifier registered with an operating system of the user device324 so that the operating system can monitor for the at least onepremises device identifier of a premises device 206. For example, theoperating system of the user device 324 can monitor for premises deviceidentifiers, such as UUIDs, of premises devices 206 that are of interestto the application installed on the user device 324. As the user device324 traverses space by the user of the user device 324 moving around,the user device 324 can detect transmissions from one or more premisesdevices 206. Upon detection, the user device 324 and/or the firstpremises device can transmit the first indication to the targetedcommunication service 122. The first indication can comprise a userdevice identifier of the user device 324, the premises device identifierof the first premises device, a user identifier of a user of the userdevice 324, combinations thereof, and the like.

In step 2004, the targeted communication service 122 can receive asecond indication of dissociation between the user device 324 and thefirst premises device at a second time. When the user device 324 doesnot detect the premises device identifier of the first premises deviceor vice versa, then the user device 324 and/or the first premises devicecan send the second indication to the targeted communication service 122indicating that the first premises device and the user device 324 are nolonger associated. The targeted communication service 122 can update adatabase of current associations between premises device identifiers anduser device identifiers. The second indication can comprise the userdevice identifier of the user device 324, the premises device identifierof the first premises device, the user identifier of the user of theuser device 324, combinations thereof, and the like.

In step 2006, the targeted communication service 122 can receive a thirdindication comprising a location of the user device 324. In an aspect,the location of the user device 324 of the third indication can be asecond location of a second entity. In an aspect, the location can bedetermined based on GPS or other secondary communications channels suchas WiFi access point. In an aspect, the third indication can comprise anassociation between the user device 324 and a second premises device.The second premises device can indicate the location. The user device324 can monitor for a premises device identifier of the second premisesdevice or vice versa. In an aspect, upon detection of the premisesdevice identifier of the second premises device, the user device 324and/or the second premises device can transmit the third indication tothe targeted communication service 122. The third indication cancomprise a user device identifier of the user device 324, the premisesdevice identifier of the first premises device, a user identifier of auser of the user device 324, the location, combinations thereof, and thelike.

In step 2008, the targeted communication service 122 can determine thatthe location has a campaign associated with the location. In an aspect,the targeted communication service 122 can determine the location has acampaign associated with it by comparing coordinates at the location tocoordinates associated with campaigns which can be stored and accessedby the targeted campaign service 122. In an aspect, the campaign can bedetermined based on comparing the second premises device identifier to adatabase comprising campaigns associated with premises deviceidentifiers. In an aspect, a condition for the campaign to be activatedat the second location can be based on whether the user device 324 had acontinued presence at the first premises device. The targetedcommunication service 122 can activate the campaign depending oncontinued presence of the user device 324 at the first premises device.

In step 2010, the targeted communication service 122 can determine thata time period between the first time and the second time meets athreshold time period for the continued presence. In an aspect, thecontinued presence can exist after a threshold period of time after thedetection between a user device 324 of the plurality of user devices andthe at least one premises device without any dissociations of the userdevice 324 from the at least one premises device. In an aspect, thecontinued presence can be determined based on the log of associationsand dissociations of user devices 324 to premises device identifiers. Inan aspect, continued presence can also be determined by garneringadditional information from or about the user device 324. For example,the user device 324 can provide information regarding its orientationand altitude. When these measurements change, the targeted communicationservice 122 can assume that the user device 324 is moving, howeverslightly, thus indicating that a user is interacting with the userdevice 324, and that the user device 324 has not been left somewhere.Separately, a WiFi connected device is likely to have changing RSSIlevels as the user device 324 moves closer to or further from a wirelessaccess point. The RSSI levels can be transmitted by the WiFiinfrastructure to the targeted campaign service 122, giving moreinformation than a binary indication of a user's continued presence.

In step 2012, the targeted communication service 122 can transmit thecampaign to the user device 324. In an aspect, the campaign can betransmitted to the user device 324 over a network (e.g., the Internet)through one or more premises devices or through a direct connection overthe network between the user device 324 and the targeted campaignservice 122.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can determinecustomized content of the campaign based on user demographic informationof a user of the user device 324. The user demographic information cancomprise, for example, age, sex, address, pre-defined interests,gathered interests, education level, occupation, religion, ethnicity,education, and the like. In an aspect, the user can be determined basedon an identity confidence level of the user.

FIG. 21 illustrates a flowchart of a method 2100 of proximity detectionand targeted campaigns, according to various aspects. In step 2102, atargeted campaign service (e.g., the targeted communication service 122)can receive a first indication of a detection between a user device(e.g., the user device 324) and a first premises device (e.g., thepremises device 206). In an aspect, the first premises device can be ata first location of a first entity. The user device 324 can comprise afirst installed application comprising at least one premises deviceidentifier registered with an operating system of the user device 324 sothat the operating system can monitor for the at least one premisesdevice identifier of a premises device 206. For example, the operatingsystem of the user device 324 can monitor for premises deviceidentifiers, such as UUIDs, of premises devices 206 that are of interestto the first application installed on the user device 324. As the userdevice 324 traverses space by the user of the user device 324 movingaround, the user device 324 can detect transmissions from one or morepremises devices 206. Upon detection, the user device 324 and/or thefirst premises device can transmit the first indication to the targetedcommunication service 122. The first indication can comprise a userdevice identifier of the user device 324, the premises device identifierof the first premises device, a user identifier of a user of the userdevice 324, combinations thereof, and the like.

In step 2104, the targeted communication service 122 can store the firstindication of the detection between the user device 324 and the firstpremises device comprising a user device identifier of the user device324 and a first premises device identifier of the first premises device.The targeted communication service 122 can comprise a data warehousesuch as a database for storing associations of user device identifiersand premises device identifiers.

In step 2106, the targeted communication service 122 can receive asecond indication of a detection between the user device 324 and asecond premises device. In an aspect, the second premises device can beat a second location of a second entity. In an aspect, the detection ofa second premises device identifier of the second device can be causedby a first application on the user device 324 and/or a secondapplication on the user device 324. The second premises deviceidentifier can be transmitted by a second premises device at a secondlocation belonging to a second entity. The second indication cancomprise the user device identifier of the user device 324 and/or thesecond user device identifier of the second premises device. Thetargeted communication service 122 can store the second indication ofthe detection between the user device 324 and the second premises devicecomprising a user device identifier of the user device 324 and thesecond premises device identifier of the second premises device.

In step 2108, the targeted communication service 122 can determinewhether the second premises device is associated with a campaign. In anaspect, the campaign can be determined based on comparing the secondpremises device identifier to a database comprising campaigns associatedwith premises device identifiers. In an aspect, a condition for thecampaign to be activated at the second location can be whether the userdevice 324 had a continued presence at the first premises device. Thetargeted communication service 122 can activate the campaign dependingon continued presence of the user device 324 at the first premisesdevice.

In step 2110, the targeted communication service 122 can, in response todetermining the second premises device is associated with the campaign,determine whether at least one condition to trigger the campaign is met.A condition of the at least one conditions can be based on the detectioncomprising the first premises device identifier. In an aspect, thecondition of the at least one condition can be continued presence of theuser device 324 at the first premises device. In an aspect, thecondition of the at least one condition can be proximity of the userdevice 324 to the first premises device. In an aspect, the at least onecondition can be satisfying a threshold based on an identity confidencelevel of the user of the user device 324.

In step 2112, the targeted communication service 122 can transmit thecampaign when the at least one condition is met. In an aspect, thetargeted communication service 122 can transmit the campaign to the userdevice 324. In an aspect, the campaign can be transmitted to the userdevice 324 over a network (e.g., the Internet) through one or morepremises devices or through a direct connection over the network betweenthe user device 324 and the targeted communication service 122. In anaspect, the campaign can be transmitted to a media device (e.g., themedia device 320) and/or a presentation device (e.g., the presentationdevice 210) that is associated with the second premises deviceidentifier.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can determinecustomized content of the campaign based on user demographic informationof a user of the user device 324. The user demographic information cancomprise, for example, age, sex, address, pre-defined interests,gathered interests, education level, occupation, religion, ethnicity,education, and the like. The user can be determined based on an identityconfidence level of the user.

FIG. 22 illustrates a flowchart of a method 2200 of proximity detectionand targeted campaigns, according to various aspects. In step 2202, auser device (e.g., the user device 324) can receive an event schedule ofa first event and a second event. In an aspect, the first event andsecond event can be at the same location. In an aspect, the first eventand the second event can be at different times. In an aspect, the firstevent and the second event can be at the same time at the same locationbut can have a different group of premises devices (e.g., the premisesdevice 206) and/or a different set of premises device identifiersassociated with the first event and the second event. In an aspect, thetargeted campaign service (e.g., the targeted communication service 122)can comprise an event scheduler. An event manager can schedule eventsfor one or more locations with the event scheduler. Each event cancomprise one or more campaigns which need to be active when the event isoccurring. The targeted communication service 122 can manage premisesdevices 206 and premises device identifiers based on which campaigns areactive. In an aspect, the premises device 206 can be at a location thathas more than one event. For example, some arenas can be used forprofessional basketball games, professional hockey games, and concerts.In some aspects, the events can be at different times during the sameday. A first event can occur for a first time duration and a secondevent can occur for a second time duration at the location. In anaspect, the event scheduler can cause the targeted communication service122 to associate the premises device identifiers of the premises devices206 with the particular event that is occurring at the location at aparticular time. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122can activate or deactivate campaigns based on the events defined by theevent scheduler. For example, an hour before a basketball game and anhour after the basketball game the event scheduler can have scheduledone or more campaigns. The event scheduler, based on the scheduledcampaigns can cause the targeted communication service 122 to associatepremises device identifiers of the premises device 206 with a mobileapplication associated with the basketball game.

In step 2204, the user device 324 can activate a first applicationassociated with the first event during the first event. In an aspect,the user device 324 can deactivate a second application that is notassociated with the first event and that monitors for at least one ofthe premises device identifiers associated with the first application.The user device 324 can activate the first application by referencingthe event schedule determining which applications are associated with anevent based on the current time and date.

In step 2206, the user device 324 can monitor for a premises deviceidentifier transmitted by a premises device 206 during the first eventin association with the first application. In an aspect, the user device324 can monitor for premises device identifiers associated with thefirst application for the first event. The user device 324 can comprisethe first application installed comprising at least one premises deviceidentifier registered with an operating system of the user device 324 sothat the operating system can monitor for the at least one premisesdevice identifier of a premises device 206. For example, the operatingsystem of the user device 324 can monitor for premises deviceidentifiers, such as UUIDs, of premises devices 206 that are of interestto the first application installed on the user device 324. As the userdevice 324 traverses space by the user of the user device 324 movingaround, the user device 324 can detect transmissions from one or morepremises devices 206. Upon detection, the user device 324 and/or thepremises device 206 can transmit an indication to the targetedcommunication service 122. The indication can comprise a user deviceidentifier of the user device 324, the premises device identifier of thepremises device 206, a user identifier of a user of the user device 324,combinations thereof, and the like.

In an aspect, a second application can be running in the background onthe user device 324 which may share one or more of the same premisesdevice identifiers for which the first application is monitoring. Thesecond application can remain active. However, any detection by thesecond application of the premises device 206 can result in no campaigntaking place at the user device 324 with the second application becausethere are no campaigns associated with the second application at thetime of the first event according to the event schedule.

In step 2208, the user device 324 can discontinue monitoring for thepremises device identifier by the first application when the first eventhas ended. The user device 324 can activate the first application byreferencing the event schedule and determining which applications areassociated with an event based on the current time and date. In anaspect, the user device 324 can detect the premises device identifierwhen the first application is activated. The user device 324 can send afirst indication of the detection between the user device 324 and thepremises device 206 to a targeted communication service 122. In anaspect, the user device 324 can receive a first campaign associated withthe first event based on a user device identifier of the user device 324and a premises device identifier of the premises device 206.

In an aspect, the user device 324 can activate the second applicationassociated with the second event during the second event based on theevent schedule. The user device 324 can monitor for the premises deviceidentifier transmitted by the premises device during the second event inassociation with the second application. The user device 324 candiscontinue monitoring for the premises device identifier by the secondapplication when the second event has ended.

In an aspect, the user device 324 can detect the premises deviceidentifier when the second application is activated. The user device 324can send a second indication of the detection between the user device324 and the premises device 206 to the targeted communication service122. The user device 324 can receive a second campaign associated withthe second event based on a user device identifier of the user device324 and the premises device identifier of the premises device 206.

In an aspect, the user device 324 can activate the first applicationassociated with the second event during the second event based on theevent schedule. The user device 324 can monitor for a second premisesdevice identifier transmitted by the premises device 206 during thesecond event in association with the first application. The user device324 can discontinue monitoring for the second premises device identifierby the first application when the second event has ended.

FIG. 23 illustrates a flowchart of a method 2300 of proximity detectionand targeted campaigns, according to various aspects. In step 2302, atargeted campaign service (e.g., the targeted communication service 122)can determine a first event occurring at a location. In an aspect, thetargeted communication service 122 can determine when the first event isoccurring by accessing an event schedule to determine when one or moreevents are occurring at the location. The location can comprise aplurality of premises devices (e.g., the premises device 206) eachtransmitting a respective premises device identifier. In an aspect, thefirst event can be associated with a first application. The first eventcan be associated with a first set of campaigns.

In step 2304, the targeted communication service 122 can associate therespective premises device identifiers with the first event. In anaspect, the targeted communication service 122 can associate therespective premises device identifiers with the first event based on theevent schedule. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 canreceive an indication of a detection between a user device (e.g., theuser device 324) and a premises device 206 of the plurality of premisesdevices 206. The user device 324 can comprise the first installedapplication comprising at least one premises device identifierregistered with an operating system of the user device 324 so that theoperating system can monitor for the at least one premises deviceidentifier of a premises device 206. For example, the operating systemof the user device 324 can monitor for premises device identifiers, suchas UUIDs, of premises devices 206 that are of interest to the firstapplication installed on the user device 324. As the user device 324traverses space by the user of the user device 324 moving around, theuser device 324 can detect transmissions from one or more premisesdevices 206. Upon detection, the user device 324 and/or the premisesdevice can transmit the indication to the targeted communication service122. The indication can comprise a user device identifier of the userdevice 324, the premises device identifier of the premises device 206, auser identifier of a user of the user device 324, combinations thereof,and the like.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can determine acampaign from the first set of campaigns based on at least one of theuser device identifier and the premises device identifier. In an aspect,the targeted communication service 122 can determine some other actionto perform. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 cantransmit the campaign to the user device 324. In an aspect, the targetedcommunication service 122 can perform the action or campaign at thetargeted communication service 122. In an aspect, the targetedcommunication service 122 can transmit or cause to perform theaction/campaign at another user device 324, a presentation device (e.g.,the presentation device 210), and/or a media device (e.g., the mediadevice 320).

In step 2306, the targeted communication service 122 can determine asecond event occurring at the location. In an aspect, the second eventcan be associated with a second application. In an aspect, the secondevent can be associated with the first application. The second event canhave a second set of campaigns. In an aspect, the targeted communicationservice 122 can determine the first event and second event based on anevent schedule. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 canactivate and deactivate campaigns based on which event is currentlyactive.

In step 2308, the targeted communication service 122 can dissociaterespective premises device identifiers from the first event. In anaspect, the targeted communication service 122 can comprise a databasethat stores associations of events and premises device identifiersassociated with the event for the current time. Furthermore, each eventcan be associated with a set of campaigns. Therefore, the premisesdevice identifiers can be dissociated from the event to preventcampaigns from being provided that are not supposed to be provided atthe current time according to the event schedule.

In step 2310, the targeted communication service 122 can associate therespective premises device identifiers to the second event. After thepremises device identifiers are dissociated from the first event, thepremises device identifiers can be associated with the second event whenthe event schedule indicates the second event is occurring. In anaspect, the second event can be associated with a second set ofcampaigns which can be active when the premises device identifiers areassociated with the second event. In an aspect, the targetedcommunication service 122 can provide a campaign from the second set ofcampaigns to the user device 324, a presentation device (e.g., thepresentation device 210), and/or a media device (e.g., the media device320).

FIG. 24 illustrates a flowchart of a method 2400 of proximity detectionand targeted campaigns, according to various aspects. In step 2402, atargeted campaign service (e.g., the targeted communication service 122)can assign a first set of premises device identifiers to a first set ofpremises devices (e.g., the premises device 206) at a locationassociated with a first event. The first event can be associated a firstset of campaigns. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122can determine when the first event is occurring based on an eventschedule. The event schedule can comprise a schedule of the first eventand a second event. In an aspect, the first event and second event canbe at the same location. In an aspect, the first event and the secondevent can be at different times. In an aspect, the first event and thesecond event can be at the same time at the same location but can have adifferent group of premises devices 206 and/or a different set ofpremises device identifiers associated with the first event and thesecond event. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 cancomprise an event scheduler. An event manager can schedule events forone or more locations with the event scheduler to create the eventschedule. Each event can be associated with one or more campaigns whichneed to be active when the event is occurring. The targetedcommunication service 122 can manage premises devices 206 and premisesdevice identifiers based on which campaigns are active. In an aspect, apremises device 206 can be at a location that has more than one event. Afirst event can occur for a first time duration and a second event canoccur for a second time duration at the location.

In step 2404, the targeted communication service 122 can assign a secondset of premises device identifiers to a second set of premises devices206 at the location associated with a second event. The second event canbe associated with a second set of campaigns. In an aspect, the targetedcommunication service 122 can determine when the first event isoccurring based on an event schedule. In an aspect, the premises devices206 at the location can comprise dynamic premises device identifiers.The targeted communication service 122 can assign new premises deviceidentifiers to the premises devices 206 depending on which event istaking place according to the event schedule. The targeted communicationservice 122 can transmit the second set of premises device identifiersto the first set of premises devices 206 and/or the second set ofpremises devices 206.

In step 2406, the targeted communication service 122 can determine whenthe first event is occurring. In an aspect, the targeted communicationservice 122 can determine when the first event is occurring by accessingan event schedule to determine when one or more events are occurring atthe location. The targeted communication service 122 can receiveindications from one or more user devices 324 that are at the firstevent. The indications can comprise the premises device identifier. Thetargeted communication service 122 can determine and transmit campaignsthat are associated with the first event based on the premises deviceidentifier. The campaigns can be transmitted to the user device 324, apresentation device (e.g., the presentation device 210), and/or a mediadevice (e.g., the media device 320).

In step 2408, the targeted communication service 122 can notify a userdevice 324 when the first event is occurring. The first application canbe activated on the user device 324 that monitors for the first set ofpremises device identifiers. Alternatively, the first application can beactive or running on a different, remote device, with data or results ofthe application being presented to the user device 324. In an aspect,the targeted communication service 122 can notify the user device 324when the first event has ended. The first application can be deactivatedon the user device 324. In an aspect, the targeted communication service122 can notify the user device 324 when the second event is occurring.The first application can be activated on the user device 324 thatmonitors for the second set of premises device identifiers.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can notify the userdevice 324 when the first event has ended. The first application isdeactivated on the user device 324. The targeted communication service122 can notify the user device 324 when the second event is occurring. Asecond application can be activated on the user device 324 that monitorsfor the second set of premises device identifiers.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can notify the userdevice 324 when the first event has ended. The first application can bedeactivated on the user device 324. The targeted communication service122 can notify the user device 324 when the second event is occurring. Asecond application can be activated on the user device 324 that monitorsfor the first set of premises device identifiers.

FIG. 25 illustrates a flowchart of a method 2500 of proximity detectionand targeted campaigns, according to various aspects. In step 2502, auser device (e.g., the user device 324) can monitor for transmission ofa first set of premises device identifiers of a first set of premisesdevices (e.g., the premises device 206). In an aspect, the operatingsystem of the user device 324 can impose a limitation that anapplication can only register for a defined number of premises deviceidentifiers (e.g., BLE beacon identifiers) at one time. Having thelimitation helps reduce the amount of energy the user device 324 uses tomonitor for premises device identifiers in the background. However, thelimitation on the number of premises device identifiers for which theoperating system monitors can present a problem as it is possible thatan application, especially one supporting multiple locations, isinterested in receiving a location notification in excess of thelimitation of the number premises device identifiers set by theoperating system and/or there more premises devices 206 at a locationthan the limitation. In an aspect, a location can be limited to a numberof premises devices 206 that represents the limitation imposed by theoperating system on the maximum number of beacon identifiers. In anaspect, a plurality of locations can have an identical premises deviceidentifier associated with each location that indicates a category thatthe location falls under. For example, a premises device identifier ofthe first set may define a category of sports venues, residentiallocation, restaurants, department store, and the like. The premisesdevice identifier for each category can be associated with locationinformation for each location utilizing the application.

In step 2504, the user device 324 can detect a premises deviceidentifier of the first set of premises device identifiers. The userdevice 324 can comprise the first installed application comprising thefirst set of premises device identifiers registered with an operatingsystem of the user device 324 so that the operating system can monitorfor the first set of premises device identifiers of a plurality ofpremises devices 206. For example, the operating system of the userdevice 324 can monitor for premises device identifiers, such as UUIDs,of premises devices 206 that are of interest to the first applicationinstalled on the user device 324. As the user device 324 traverses spaceby the user of the user device 324 moving around, the user device 324can detect transmissions from one or more premises devices 206. Upondetection, the user device 324 and/or the premises device 206 cantransmit a n indication to a targeted campaign service (e.g., thetargeted communication service 122). The indication can comprise a userdevice identifier of the user device 324, the premises device identifierof the premises device 206, a user identifier of a user of the userdevice 324, combinations thereof, and the like.

In step 2506, the user device 324 can determine a location where thepremises device identifier is detected. In an aspect, the location canbe determined based on coordinates determined by a global positioningsystem. In an aspect, the location can be determined based on adetection of a wireless access point. In an aspect, the location can bedetermined based on detecting a combination of premises deviceidentifiers of the first set of premises device identifiers.

In step 2508, the user device 324 can send a notification comprising thelocation and the premises device identifier to the targetedcommunication, campaign or messaging service 122. The notification canbe transmitted over a network to the targeted communication service 122.The notification can be transmitted via a premises device 206 (e.g., aWiFi access point) over the network to the targeted communicationservice 122.

In step 2510, the user device 324 can receive a second set of premisesdevice identifiers based on the premises device identifier and thelocation. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 candetermine a second set of premises device identifiers based on thepremises device identifier of the first set of premises deviceidentifiers and the location. The targeted communication service 122 cancomprise a database that comprises entries of premises deviceidentifiers that are associated with a location and a premises deviceidentifier from the first set of premises device identifiers. When thetargeted communication service 122 receives a notification comprising apremises device identifier of the first set of premises devicesidentifiers and a location. The targeted communication service 122 cancompare the premises device identifier and the location to entries inthe database to determine any other premises device identifiersassociated with that location and premises device identifier of thefirst set of premises device identifiers. The targeted communicationservice 122 can then transmit the second set of premises deviceidentifiers over the network to the user device 324. In an aspect, theuser device 324 can already have the second set of premises deviceidentifiers and the targeted communication service 122 sendsinstructions in the notification to have the operating system monitorfor the second set of premises device identifiers. In an aspect, thesecond set of premises device identifiers can be received from aplurality of sets of premises device identifiers based on an eventschedule.

In step 2512, the user device 324 can monitor for transmission of thesecond set of premises device identifiers. In an aspect, the user device324 can detect a premises device identifier of the second set ofpremises device identifiers. In an aspect, the user device 324 can sendan indication of the detection to the targeted communication service122. The indication can comprise a user device identifier and thepremises device identifier of the second set of premises deviceidentifiers. In an aspect, the user device 324 can receive aninstruction to perform an action based on the user device identifier andthe premises device identifier of the second set of premises deviceidentifiers. In an aspect, the user device 324 can receive theinstruction from the targeted communication service 122. In an aspect,the targeted communication service 122 can send a campaign, in responseto detecting the premises device identifier of the second set ofpremises device identifiers, to the user device 324. In an aspect, theuser device 324 can receive and provide to the user of the user device324 the campaign.

FIG. 26 illustrates a flowchart of a method 2600 of proximity detectionand targeted campaigns, according to various aspects. In step 2602, atargeted campaign service (e.g., the targeted communication service 122)can receive, from a user device (e.g., the user device 324), anotification comprising a location, a user device identifier, and apremises device identifier. The premises device identifier can belong toa first set of premises device identifiers. In an aspect, the locationcan be determined based on coordinates determined by a globalpositioning system. In an aspect, the location can be determined basedon a detection of a wireless access point. In an aspect, the locationcan be determined based on detecting a combination of premises deviceidentifiers of the first set of premises device identifiers.

In step 2604, the targeted communication service 122 can determine ageofence based on the location and the premises device identifier. Thegeofence can be defined by one or more sets of premises deviceidentifiers and not necessarily a geographical location. The geofencecan comprise a second set of premises device identifiers. In an aspect,the second set of premises device identifiers can be selected from aplurality of sets of premises device identifiers based on an eventschedule. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 candetermine a second set of premises device identifiers based on thepremises device identifier of the first set of premises deviceidentifiers and the location. The targeted communication service 122 cancomprise a database that comprises entries of premises deviceidentifiers that are associated with a location and a premises deviceidentifier from the first set of premises device identifiers. When thetargeted communication service 122 receives a notification comprising apremises device identifier of the first set of premises devicesidentifiers and a location. The targeted communication service 122 cancompare the premises device identifier and the location to entries inthe database to determine any other premises device identifiersassociated with that location and premises device identifier of thefirst set of premises device identifiers.

In step 2606, the targeted communication service 122 can replace atleast one premises device identifier of the first set of premises deviceidentifiers with at least one premises device identifier of the secondset of premises device identifiers based on a replacement criterion tocreate a third set of premises device identifiers. In an aspect, thereplacement criterion can comprise determining whether one or morepremises device identifier of the first set of premises deviceidentifiers represents one or more adjacent geofences that are within aproximity threshold of the determined geofence. The one or more premisesdevice identifiers of adjacent geofences can remain in the third set ofpremises device identifier for which the user device 324 monitors sothat if the user device 324 moves to an adjacent geofence the userdevice 324 can detect the premises device identifier of that adjacentgeofence and receive the corresponding premises device identifiers forthat adjacent geofence.

In step 2608, the targeted communication service 122 can transmit thethird set of premises device identifiers to the user device 324. Thetargeted communication service 122 can then transmit the third set ofpremises device identifiers over the network to the user device 324. Theuser device 324 can receive the third set of premise device identifiers.The user device 324 can then register the third set of premises deviceidentifiers with the operating system of the user device 324. Theoperating system of the user device 324 can then monitor for the thirdset of premises device identifiers. In an aspect, the user device 324can detect a premises device identifier of the third set of premisesdevice identifiers and send an indication comprising the at least theuser device identifier premises device identifier detected.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can receive anindication comprising the user device identifier of the user device324and a premises device identifier of the third set of premises deviceidentifiers. The targeted communication service 122 can determine thepremises device identifier of the third set of premises deviceidentifiers matches a premises device identifier of the second set ofpremises device identifiers. In an aspect, the targeted communicationservice 122 can determine a campaign to transmit to the user device 324based on the user device identifier and the premises device identifierof the third set of premises device identifiers. The targetedcommunication service 122 can transmit the campaign to the user device324.

In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 can receive anindication comprising the user device identifier of the user device 324and a premises device identifier of the third set of premises deviceidentifiers. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 candetermine the premises device identifier of the third set of premisesdevice identifiers matches a premises device identifier of the first setof premises device identifiers. In an aspect, the targeted communicationservice 122 can determine a fourth set of premises device identifiersassociated with the premises device identifier of the first set ofpremises device identifiers. In an aspect, the targeted communicationservice 122 can replace at least one premises device identifier of thethird set of premises device identifiers with at least one premisesdevice identifier of the fourth set of premises device identifiers basedon the replacement criterion to create a fifth set of premises deviceidentifiers. In an aspect, the targeted communication service 122 cantransmit the fifth set of premises device identifiers to the user device324.

FIG. 27 illustrates a flowchart of a method 2700 of proximity detectionand targeted campaigns, according to various aspects. In step 2702, atargeted campaign service (e.g., the targeted communication service 122)can receive an indication comprising a detection between a user device(e.g., the user device 324) and a premises device (e.g., the premisesdevice 206). The indication can comprise a user device identifier and apremises device identifier. The premises device identifier can belong toa set of premises device identifiers used at a plurality of locations.The user device 324 can comprise a first installed applicationcomprising the set of premises device identifiers registered with anoperating system of the user device 324 so that the operating system canmonitor for the set of premises device identifiers of a plurality ofpremises devices 206. For example, the operating system of the userdevice 324 can monitor for premises device identifiers, such as UUIDs,of premises devices 206 that are of interest to the first applicationinstalled on the user device 324. As the user device 324 traverses spaceby the user of the user device 324 moving around, the user device 324can detect transmissions from one or more premises devices 206. Upondetection, the user device 324 and/or a premises device 206 can transmitthe indication to the targeted communication service 122. The indicationcan comprise a user device identifier of the user device 324, thepremises device identifier of the premises device 206, a user identifierof a user of the user device 324, combinations thereof, and the like.

In step 2704, the targeted communication service 122 can determine alocation of the plurality of locations at where the user device islocated. In an aspect, the location can be determined based oncoordinates determined by a global positioning system. In an aspect, thelocation can be determined based on a detection of a wireless accesspoint. In an aspect, the location can be determined based on detecting acombination of premises device identifiers of the first set of premisesdevice identifiers.

In step 2706, the targeted communication service 122 can determine anaction based on the location and the premises device identifier. In anaspect, the action can comprise accessing an event schedule to determineone or more campaigns to transmit to the user device. In an aspect, theaction can be based on the user demographic information of the user ofthe user device 324. The user demographic information can comprise, forexample, age, sex, address, pre-defined interests, gathered interests,education level, occupation, religion, ethnicity, education, and thelike. For example, the action can comprise a set of business rules. Thetargeted communication service 122 can compare one or more userdemographics to the business rules to determine whether or not to havethe action performed at user device 324.

In step 2708, the targeted communication service 122 can cause theaction to be performed. In an aspect, the action can be performed atleast one of the user device 324, the targeted communication service122, another user device, a presentation device (e.g., the presentationdevice 210), a premises device 206, a media device (e.g., the mediadevice 320) combinations thereof, and the like. In an aspect, the actionto be performed can comprise an insertion of a campaign with contentprovided to the media device 320 in response to a content request. In anaspect, the action to be performed can comprise sending a campaign tothe user device 324.

In an exemplary aspect, the methods and systems can be implemented on acomputer 2801 as illustrated in FIG. 28 and described below. By way ofexample, a user device 102, media device 320 and/or a computing device104 of FIG. 1 can be a computer as illustrated in FIG. 28. Similarly,the methods and systems disclosed can utilize one or more computers toperform one or more functions in one or more locations. FIG. 28 is ablock diagram illustrating an exemplary operating environment forperforming the disclosed methods. This exemplary operating environmentis only an example of an operating environment and is not intended tosuggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality ofoperating environment architecture. Neither should the operatingenvironment be interpreted as having any dependency or requirementrelating to any one or combination of components illustrated in theexemplary operating environment.

The present methods and systems can be operational with numerous othergeneral purpose or special purpose computing system environments orconfigurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments,and/or configurations that can be suitable for use with the systems andmethods comprise, but are not limited to, personal computers, servercomputers, laptop devices, and multiprocessor systems. Additionalexamples comprise set-top boxes, programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computingenvironments that comprise any of the above systems or devices, and thelike.

The processing of the disclosed methods and systems can be performed bysoftware components. The disclosed systems and methods can be describedin the general context of computer-executable instructions, such asprogram modules, being executed by one or more computers or otherdevices. Generally, program modules comprise computer code, routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Thedisclosed methods can also be practiced in grid-based and distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules can be located inboth local and remote computer storage media including memory storagedevices.

Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the systems andmethods disclosed herein can be implemented via a general-purposecomputing device in the form of a computer 2801. The components of thecomputer 2801 can comprise, but are not limited to, one or moreprocessors or processing units 2803, a system memory 2812, and a systembus 2813 that couples various system components including the processingunit 2803 to the system memory 2812. In the case of multiple processingunits 2803, the system can utilize parallel computing.

The system bus 2813 represents one or more of several possible types ofbus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or localbus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, sucharchitectures can comprise an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, aVideo Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, an AcceleratedGraphics Port (AGP) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI), aPCI-Express bus, a Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association(PCMCIA), Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the like. The bus 2813, and allbuses specified in this description can also be implemented over a wiredor wireless network connection and each of the subsystems, including theprocessing unit 2803, a mass storage device 2804, an operating system2805, targeted campaign software 2806, targeted campaign data 2807, anetwork adapter 2808, system memory 2812, an Input/Output Interface2810, a display adapter 2809, a display device 2811, and a human machineinterface 2802, can be contained within one or more remote computingdevices 2814a,b,c at physically separate locations, connected throughbuses of this form, in effect implementing a fully distributed system.

The computer 2801 typically comprises a variety of computer readablemedia. Exemplary readable media can be any available media that isaccessible by the computer 2801 and comprises, for example and not meantto be limiting, both volatile and non-volatile media, removable andnon-removable media. The system memory 2812 comprises computer readablemedia in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory(RAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM). Thesystem memory 2812 typically contains data such as targeted campaigndata 2807 and/or program modules such as operating system 2805 andtargeted campaign software 2806 that are immediately accessible toand/or are presently operated on by the processing unit 2803.

In another aspect, the computer 2801 can also comprise otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media.By way of example, FIG. 28 illustrates a mass storage device 2804 whichcan provide non-volatile storage of computer code, computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for thecomputer 2801. For example and not meant to be limiting, a mass storagedevice 2804 can be a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a removableoptical disk, magnetic cassettes or other magnetic storage devices,flash memory cards, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical storage, random access memories (RAM), read only memories (ROM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and thelike.

Optionally, any number of program modules can be stored on the massstorage device 2804, including by way of example, an operating system2805 and targeted campaign software 2806. Each of the operating system2805 and targeted campaign software 2806 (or some combination thereof)can comprise elements of the programming and the targeted campaignsoftware 2806. Targeted campaign data 2807 can also be stored on themass storage device 2804. Targeted campaign data 2807 can be stored inany of one or more databases known in the art. Examples of suchdatabases comprise, DB2®, Microsoft® Access, Microsoft® SQL Server,Oracle®, mySQL, PostgreSQL, Mongo DB, Riak, HBase, Cassandra, and thelike. The databases can be centralized or distributed across multiplesystems.

In another aspect, the user can enter commands and information into thecomputer 2801 via an input device (not shown). Examples of such inputdevices comprise, but are not limited to, a keyboard, pointing device(e.g., a “mouse”), a microphone, a joystick, a scanner, tactile inputdevices such as gloves, and other body coverings, and the like These andother input devices can be connected to the processing unit 2803 via ahuman machine interface 2802 that is coupled to the system bus 2813, butcan be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as aparallel port, game port, an IEEE 1394 Port (also known as a Firewireport), a serial port, or a universal serial bus (USB).

In yet another aspect, a display device 2811 can also be connected tothe system bus 2813 via an interface, such as a display adapter 2809. Itis contemplated that the computer 2801 can have more than one displayadapter 2809 and the computer 2801 can have more than one display device2811. For example, a display device can be a monitor, an LCD (LiquidCrystal Display), or a projector. In addition to the display device2811, other output peripheral devices can comprise components such asspeakers (not shown) and a printer (not shown) which can be connected tothe computer 2801 via Input/Output Interface 2810. Any step and/orresult of the methods can be output in any form to an output device.Such output can be any form of visual representation, including, but notlimited to, textual, graphical, animation, audio, tactile, and the like.The display 2811 and computer 2801 can be part of one device, orseparate devices.

The computer 2801 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computing devices 2814 a,b,c. By wayof example, a remote computing device can be a personal computer,portable computer, smartphone, a server, a router, a network computer, apeer device or other common network node, and so on. Logical connectionsbetween the computer 2801 and a remote computing device 2814 a,b,c canbe made via a network 2815, such as a local area network (LAN) and/or ageneral wide area network (WAN). Such network connections can be througha network adapter 2808. A network adapter 2808 can be implemented inboth wired and wireless environments. Such networking environments areconventional and commonplace in dwellings, offices, enterprise-widecomputer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

For purposes of illustration, application programs and other executableprogram components such as the operating system 2805 are illustratedherein as discrete blocks, although it is recognized that such programsand components reside at various times in different storage componentsof the computer 2801, and are executed by the data processor(s) of thecomputer. An implementation of targeted campaign software 2806 can bestored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media.Any of the disclosed methods can be performed by computer readableinstructions embodied on computer readable media. Computer readablemedia can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. Byway of example and not meant to be limiting, computer readable media cancomprise “computer storage media” and “communications media.” “Computerstorage media” comprise volatile and non-volatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any methods or technology for storageof information such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. Exemplary computer storage mediacomprises, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory orother memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by acomputer.

The methods and systems can employ Artificial Intelligence techniquessuch as machine learning and iterative learning. Examples of suchtechniques include, but are not limited to, expert systems, case basedreasoning, Bayesian networks, behavior based AI, neural networks, fuzzysystems, evolutionary computation (e.g. genetic algorithms), swarmintelligence (e.g. ant algorithms), and hybrid intelligent systems (e.g.Expert inference rules generated through a neural network or productionrules from statistical learning).

While the methods and systems have been described in connection withpreferred embodiments and specific examples, it is not intended that thescope be limited to the particular embodiments set forth, as theembodiments herein are intended in all respects to be illustrativerather than restrictive.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended thatan order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possiblenon-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic withrespect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaningderived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or typeof embodiments described in the specification.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made without departing from thescope or spirit. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice disclosedherein. It is intended that the specification and examples be consideredas exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: assigning, to a first set ofpremises devices at a location, a first set of premises deviceidentifiers associated with a first event; assigning, to a second set ofpremises devices at the location, a second set of premises deviceidentifiers associated with a second event; determining, based on anevent schedule, that the first event is occurring; activating, inresponse to the first event occurring, a first application on a userdevice that monitors for the first set of premises device identifiers;deactivating, in response to determining, based on the event schedule,that the first event has ended, the first application on the userdevice; and activating, in response to determining, based on the eventschedule, that the second event is occurring, a second application onthe user device to monitor for the second set of premises deviceidentifiers.